❤ Season's ❤ Greetings ❤ Everyone ❤

Season's Greetings everyone..

Sorry for the absence lately.
My MAIN computer has been in the shop having a complete physical

and surgery. It is temporarily back home, but still needs to go back

in for some final tweaking. It has been like Mr. Toad's "Wild Ride"

using my 7 yr old latop and not having access to many of my

programs cuz of the old Operating System...
Sometimes we don't REALLY Appreciate what we have

until we don't have it Suddenly.

Having this WHOLE MONTH to reflect on this topic, and of course,

this was over the Thanksgiving Holiday, it seemed to let the lesson

"sink-in" even DEEPER. This whole last month my email box

has been flooded with Sales Promos, as I am sure your Inbox

has been also.. But they were Ringing "hollow" for me this year.

I needed something BETTER another way of something to GIVE

to Show those that I REALLY Cared about them..

As FATE would have it, tomorrow I am attending a Special

Holiday Party for some folks that have been very sick and

isolated for most of the time, so even getting dressed up to

come out for this small Gathering will take a LOT of Effort

for them.. Most of them live alone and need to feel some

Community especially at this time of the year...

Tonight I had a "thought".. then I got something in my

email InBox... and THAT was IT.. The IDEA I had been

waiting for.. What a Gift to have it so easily delivered to me.

Now i would like to share that idea with you and possibly

kindly suggest that maybe you would find this a Special

Way for you to show your Thanks this season for ALL

you have been blessed with .. whether you feel that way

or not.. There are always those that have less and need more

than we/you do.. Giving back takes us "out" of ourselves

and Makes us Happy as we are making someone else

Happy..

So please go to this website and dig DEEP within

and find what would work for you this year..

It's NOT "how much you spend" that counts..

It's how much you can make someone else Happy

that really counts.. then you will be twice-blessed.

I would love to hear back from you about if you

were able to find a way that made you feel like

what you did fulfilled this need to Give and Receive

on a REAL level this year..

Blessings to you all and your talent that you

will share and be a vehicle in your receiving also.

❤❤❤❤❤ ENTER HERE ❤❤❤❤❤

❤ Season's ❤ Greetings ❤ Everyone ❤

What "motivates" you ?

There are many places to learn photography
or whatever your Art of choice is.

I am more concerned with what "motivates" you
and "gets you up and out" aka actually Doing it?
Do you tend to Procrastinate until the urge
builds up to a Crescendo that "must be served?"
Or do you gently, "go with the flow" day
by day and let it come out naturally?
Do you suffer from "Artistic Blocks?
Or do you have "Daily habits" that help
you keep "Juice in your Art" and thereby
always tasting the sweetness of it's nectar?

Does your Inspiration come from "within"
or from "without"? Do you tread where the
Masters have gone before you or do you
strive to create your own new path?

For those that are feeling blocked and
can't find any "creative juices" at the moment
may I submit to you a video that crossed
my path... knowing that one of the secrets
to it's success was something very simple.
Isn't that usually the way it goes? We
OVER think things too many times..

Watch this then I will tell you the creative
solution they came up with....




They couldn't decide HOW to get the NEW
piece of the bridge to slide into place
... guess the answer yet? Dish soap.
Yup, they used good ole' "Dove" as it was the
the cheapest and they needed Gallons of it.
As if they didn't have a Due Date that they
were afraid they would miss and had already
announced the Delay to the entire News &
Bay Area Commuters because of unexpected
crack they discovered in the bridge...
They came in instead of a "whole Day LATE"...
ONLY "one hour" late... and the Bridge
Opened almost on Schedule...

Just a gentle reminder to NOT OVER-think
your challenges and let the answer slide in
easily like the new section of the bridge did.

Many times just a Simple little Solution
is better than all of the many more
complicated ones we can dream up that
cause us bigger delays and more
procrastination with our projects..

Wishing you Happy Due Dates and
Simple Solutions to your many
upcoming Pre-holiday projects..
As they Sillycon Valley folks use to say..
Remember to KISS-♥
Keep it Simple Sweetie (my version)

KVIE 2009 Preview Party

Many of the KVIE who's WHO was there including
many of the wonderful members of the viewing
public that have helped make KVIE such a
wonderful source of TV programming for all
of us for the last 50 years here in the CA
Central Valley and online. They have been a
Wonderful Patron of ALL of the Arts
and that is why "so many artists" like to show
their Thanks, in this way, by giving back to
KVIE by donating a piece of their artwork
coming from many different mediums.
The values range from less than $100
to Thousands.. Fantabulous art work is available.

Much Thanks to all of the Artists that Donated
from their Hearts ♥ to KVIE.
Thank You also to all of those who
attended last night including all of the
Restaurants that provided the hors d'oevres
and the Amador Vintners for their wines.
Many other generous donations of food
and decorations were also made.
Many of the "faces" that we see and hear
regularly that give of their time during the
pledge drives and participate in the
role of Auctioneers during the Art Auction
were also in attendance.. Sorry if i didn't
get all of them for you, but here is one.

Your support helps KVIE in its mission to bring
new ideas and adventures to everyone in
Central Valley and the Sierra.
Over 250 works of art will be up-for-bid
during the live 3-day Art Auction broadcast.
Explore the collection at the "online", sign up
for a "Speed Bid" number, and tune in to see
the fast paced action. Art experts will educate
the viewing audience about a variety of genres
and the works from all the artists.
KVIE's Art Auction is recognized as a
premier Northern California art venue.
Be a part of this exciting, live-televised event
and make a difference in your community
by supporting public television and the arts in
your region.
As KVIE says: "Home is Where the Art is."

It ALL starts THIS Friday at 8pm on KVIE-PBS
Turn on, Tune in, and Enjoy the Beauty that
all of the Artists donated....and Remember:

No matter where you are, you can even
Watch "LIVE Online" from your laptop in bed !
You can see the auction with our "live web stream."

The link will be available:
Fri. 8/28
8PM-Midnight PDT
Sat. 8/29
2PM-Midnight PDT
Sun. 8/30
2PM-Midnight PDT

Your Business an UPOD or OPUD ?

This last few weeks a number of news articles
given me pause to think about how many different
types of people run their businesses. It seems 
that there are basically 2 people/business types:
either an UPOD or OPUD.

You all aim, of course, to create your best 
work and showcase it in places that will attract 
customers, make some profit to allow you to pay 
your bills and keep your business viable.
But, those are YOUR needs and desires...

How do you rate from your customers
point of view? What are your business ethics?
How do you treat and relate to your past,
present and future customers? Do you reach 
out in a friendly approachable manner or do 
you come off as aloof and on an unreachable 
pedestal with only your assistants left to 
interact with the public?

Are you only aiming for the upper strata
that are also cutting back on spending at 
this time? Or are you creating items priced
for the average Joe/Jane, so they feel like
"you value them" as customers also? Or at 
least give them the option to make partial
payments over a time until their purchase is
paid for? Many customers today crave a 
"personal touch" with the artist and to them 
that gives your work extra added value.
 

In these challenging economic times, I am reading 
and hearing and experiencing that TRUE 
public relations is the Number ONE way to 
start attracting some business back ,or more, 
in your direction.

That not only includes selling an item at a price 
reasonable for the type of customer you are 
wanting to attract, but also following thru 
with true customer service? Do you do the 
"little extras" that make your customers feel 
appreciated? Do you send a reply "Thank You" 
message to acknowledge their email, letting them
know that their email has been received and you 
will reply in person as soon as you can?
Do you ask them AFTER a sale, what you could 
have done to make the experience easier or 
more pleasurable for them? Do you send them 
a follow up Thank You note about a month after 
their purchase inquiring if they are enjoying 
their purchase? 

Do you do small things like sale incentives, 
maybe like keep track of your customer's 
birthdays and offer them a percentage off if 
someone wants to buy them something 
""Special" for their birthday? Do you allow them 
to create a "wish list" of your products that 
someday they might want to purchase so others 
can use it when shopping for a holiday, 
anniversary, whatever the occasion gift so they
can KNOW the person will "want and appreciate" 
the gift they received?

Have you ever conducted a poll to find out
what other versions of your products or 
services your customers would appreciate?

Since your customers ARE your bread and
butter, why not ask what makes them 
about their opinions so you can "best utilize"
your 2nd best asset as they are they are
the ones that allow you to pay your bills? 


Basically, what sets you apart from how
others treat their customers? Are you 
treating your customers in a way that would
make you be Excited to be treated by
another business? Would you brag to your
friends about the way you were treated?

Someone once said: 
"Fulfill your customers orders and 
then exceed them."
Do you bring Tranquility and Joy  into 
their lives or stress and chaos?


Other have summed it up in with the two 
acronyms OPUD and UPOD.
Do you "Over Promise and Under Deliver?"
or "Under Promise and Over Deliver?"


Just some thoughts to consider before
we head into the holiday gift-giving
time of year.. and for the future.


May all of your dreams and your customers
expectations be exceeded from now on.
 
Discuss freely amongst yourselves....
Ideas and feedback always appreciated.

Bodie- FOB Day Invites sent-RSVP

Honoring Bodie's Sesquicennial

1859-2009

For those that follow me regularly, you know
I love CA's Official "only" Gold State Historic Park.
I just received in the USPS, yeah and not by
Pony Express, the Official Invitation to this year's
Annual FOB- The Friends of Bodie Day - August 8th.
For those able to attend, this event is always
not only a FUN Day , but full of unusual photo ops
that we are not normally exposed to in the West.
On this Special Day, in this Special Place, in this
SHP that is such a HUGE Part of our Gold Rush
history, the town comes ALIVE again for one day.
Yearly Bodie fans, young and old come to share
their love of the town, meet old residents & friends,
and party with a Parade down Main Street wearing
old time period costumes (@ 1:30PM this year),
games & contests for kids, food & music and
for Actual Members of FOB the day culminates
with a BBQ and Evening Entertainment.
At 8,400 feet these occasions are Rare like
the air, and always new memories are made.

The Daytime activities are OPEN to ALL..
The BBQ and evening entertainment for
FOB members ONLY.....as the park is closed
by then and the public has left.
If you are interested in attending Please do.
If you wish to Join FOB and attend the BBQ
Please call the Park Office and get info on
how to join and then you can be part of those
Helping to Preserve our History and join in
on the evening's fun.
The Member's BBQ starts at 5PM
Call for Info: (760) 647-6564
RSVP by August 1st so your dinner will be ready.

Post with Official 2009 FOB Poster HERE
A report of last year's event is HERE.

Hope you can come join us not only for the fun
but also for reliving our history & the photo ops.

Who Ships Your Packages the BEST?

After Numerous recent events I am feeling compelled
to Get the Word OUT, as they say..

The USPS, once a Gov. agency, is now totally inept
and shredding shipments, NOT delivering them, and
now even irradiating DVDs sent by photogs to the
Library of Congress to register their image ©.
I have had them lose bank statements that got
returned to the bank and then shredded and
last week I even found out about a notice from
my broker that got Returned saying my address
was bad... -don't think so. Same place for the
last 30+ years... so I have just about had it with
them and because of all of these incidents of
BAD service wanted to notify all of my photog
friends and readers to use another method of
shipping anything they consider Important.

The ONLY method for shipping images prints, and
important things that I TRUST now is FedEx.
They are the ONLY service, I know of, that IF you
Pay for a Signature they WILL require it and get it....

UPS will NOT even wait at a door long enough to
ring the doorbell or get the signature...
I know, I had a lens delivered to a wrong address
and they simply left it on the wrong front porch,
then during the 2nd attempt I was at home, ON
the phone with UPS, when the drive drove up,
the dog barked, and before I could even get TO
the door to supposedly Sign for the lens, the driver
was Back in the Truck and taking OFF...
So do NOT pay them to Request a signature, they
will NOT get one for you....if you need "Proof of Receipt"

Sorry to be the bearer of these facts, but my main
purpose is to Hope that knowledge is Power and
being informed you will not suffer the same issues
I and many of my friends have..

Here is a recent post by another photog friend to
illustrate my point.....that I felt was VERY relevant
for Photographers.

I have a funny feeling that when this economy
recovers FedEx stock will let you KNOW.

Please feel free to comment and share
your experiences....

Thanks Jim Goldstein:
How to Irradiate a DVD to Death

a birthday re-present 4 me..TO you...

Having just Celebrated another milestone in my
own existence on this earth plane... Serendipity
reintroduced me to an old friend that had had
a profound influence on me years ago...
Sometimes Life brings important things back around
for you to see/learn again so you can go Deeper
and learn another chapter in Life's book of lessons.

We each never know how the little things we do
in our lives will effect not only OUR lives but
be like little ripples in the pond and what
those ripples might reach out and eventually touch.

So as part of my Birthday Toast I am raising a
glass to Dewitt Jones to "Thank Him" for being
true to himself and for sharing his best with us all
...and to US for letting those lessons seep INTO us...
So that our Cameras may "Always have Juice in them."
And may we all choose to have our days of
"Celebrations Unlimited."

"Celebrate What’s Right With The World" ™
teaches what a powerful force having a vision of
possibilities can be for you.
Do you have a vision for yourself?
One that gets you excited every...

You may track Dewitt down today or
find out about his upcoming workshops
at http://www.dewittjones.com/
or email tania at dewittjones dot com

BodieSHP Photo Workshop Organized

I have been busy this last week organizing
a workshop for the members of my online
photo forum. We have been lucky enough to
obtain 3.5 days in Oct. and access to
the INside of the buildings "will be"
Permitted in the ghost town of BodieSHP.

This should also coincide with the New moon
for night "star trail" images. If we decide
we can also get them around the tufas
of Mono Lake aiming at the North Star
from the South Tufa Preserve.

In addition, there should also be Fall color
on the nearby Aspens, so sounds like
a KEEPER of a trip. I am VERY Happy that
this week's efforts were so fruitful.
I am also very happy that I can share the
gem of Bodie with other photographers, so
her beauties will be shared with others,
and she will "live on" in their images.

Bodie is TRULY a part of OUR History and
the BIGGEST HUMAN Migration WEST due to
the Gold Rush. The buildings and their
contents are definitely an "endangered species"
as Mother Nature reclaims more yearly and
the CA State Budget threatens to CLOSE
over 100 of the State Parks.

So, GO This summer if you can..
..and experience YOUR history.
If you aren't familiar with Bodie
you can always check out some of the
Info and Videos on the
"Bodie or Bust" blog. Enjoy !

Here's just a "taste" of one short
video to wet your whistle at 8,400 feet....
The 3rd Sat of Sept & Oct will be
Photog Days where you can get in the
Park Early & stay Late to get that
Special "Quiet & First Light."
Info on the Bodie or Bust Blog.

So you too can say...
"Good, by God, I'm going to Bodie."

"Tranquility of Fall" Juried & Accepted by KVIE

I am SO Happy to say that my image
you see below, "Tranquility of Fall",
created in Yosemite in the fall 2008
(a 16x24" print, matted up to 24x30")
was just Juried IN and Accepted
for participation in the 2009 KVIE
Annual Art Auction.
The Jurors were Eric Dahlin and D. Neath.
D. Neath is one of the Founders of the
Sacramento 2nd Sat. Art Walk.

I could tell by the number of entrants that
they did indeed unfortunately have to
reject a large number of artists with
good hearts that wanted to donate their
artwork to our wonderful local PBS TV
station that we all treasure so much.
So that makes me feel even more gratitude
that I was accepted and will be part of
the televised event at the end of this August.
The event is viewed annually by an audience
of about 60,000 and is anticipated by many.

There will also be a Preview Party a few
nights before so the Public can view the
artwork up close and in person and leave
pre-auction bids on their favorite items.
The event is catered this year by
Amador Vintners and many local restaurants.
It is usually quite a festive occasion.
Tickets are available online.


This is my 5th year of donating to KVIE
and every year has been fun and the
Preview Party is as much fun for the
Artists as the Public. The Public gets
to view the Art, and the Artists get to
reconnect and as well as see each other's work.

My print last year was framed by
University Art, so I went there this year
to get my matting done. I was SO Happy
to Rediscover a long-time friend, and
one of the BEST mat-cutters I know, that
was working there with his lovely new wife.
If you are ever in Sacto. and needing
a mat-cutter Please ask for "Joe" and tell
them I referred you...anyway I am hoping
they they will be chosen to frame
my print that Joe matted this year.

The entire event, Auction et al is a WIN/WIN
for KVIE, Artists, and the entire Viewing Area.
I would like to Sincerely URGE anyone in the
USA to donate to whatever fund-raiser their local
PBS/NPR stations have. They are a real gem
for us in this day and age and I, for one, feel
that I Receive "way more" than I Give to them
whether via this print or my usual subscription.

Photography- Yesterday & Today

Today even tho I am in the midst of much of
my own photographic work, that I am compelled
to make note of current events in the
photographic world...
..and the part photography is playing.

1st- I would like to Draw attention to the passing
of an icon that got generations making images
because of it's existence and a song in Tribute
to it... namely Kodachrome. Many photographers,
me included, grew up with this film/song as our
montra and spurred us on to persue our Passion.
Knowing that now, even tho digital has NOT
surpassed the clarity of film quite yet...
this digital age has claimed yet another victim.
Momma, they took our Kodachrome away...Today.
But I think I still have some in my freezer ;-)

On the flip side, photography and the proliferation
of small digital cameras is performing an
Important Service to the people's of Iran in
getting their word out to the World... and yes
"This revolution will NOT be televised." It is
being covered on Twitter and YOUTUBE via
friends of Freedom around the world...then
re-reported on TV and blogs.
This definitely IS a 21st Century Revolution.
I hope the People of Iran obtain the Justice and
Freedom to have their vote count they
are putting their lives on the line to be heard
for and so richly deserve.

Happy beginning of Summer folks.

Viewpoint Exhibit & submit to KVIE Art Auction

This weekend we are having the Artist Reception
at the Viewpoint Gallery and one of my images
of Yosemite has been chosen to be Top image
on their website to announce the reception,
for the June Exhibit.
http://www.viewpointgallery.org
for more info~ about Viewpoint in general
or "only" in June for this exhibit.













Tomorrow I will be donating a 16x24" print
matted up to 24x30" to benefit my local
PBS TV Station for their Annual art Auction
in the Fall. I would also like to suggest that
donating to your local PBS Art Auctions is
a Great way to get a lot of PR for yourself
MORE than you could normally afford to pay.
They have the Auction LIVE on TV so everyone
sees your print, and they talk about you
and your work for about 5-7 minutes.
They also add your name and image pic &
info on their website for a whole year.
In addition, at the Preview Party you
can meet the viewers/possible buyers,
and answer any questions they might have
about your work and they print out a
Catalog of the Art Auction of the
work that they hand out to the Preview
Party attendees, so you are also listed
in there, also.
.... Great fun also.


I had this image printed on Fuji SUPERGLOSS
on a Chromira Printer so it is light sensitive RA4
process and NOT inkjet. I love how they
turned out, as they look darn near as GOOD
as the Cibachrome Prints I use to print myself,
but a heck of a lot easier on me and the environment
with regards to chemicals and cost.

I HIGHLY recommend either West Coast Imaging
or Aspen Creek Photo for Great prints.
Great service and Specials VERY often...
Please let them know I referred you if
you call them. You can also follow WCI
on Twitter @MelanieWCI. and their
Facebook page.
This purely a Happy customer referral.

Have a Great week and expose something LOL

Survived MR for prints, etc.

Well May is FINALLY Passed...phewwww...
Got some Wonderful Prints made with the
help of West Coast Imaging
using their SUPERGLOSS Fugi Crystal Archive
Paper and it looks the "closest" to my old
Cibachrome prints that I have found so far...
Excellent work "Thanks to the WCI" team.
Made it in time for the matting to get done
and submitted for the Viewpoint Gallery Exhibit,
and waiting to hear back about 3 more....
Wish me luck.
Was UP for 24 hours getting things done so
crashed and slept for the next 24, sorry to
all my Tweeps I missed today.....#FollowFriday

Thanks

Tioga Pass now OPEN for the Season

Yeah, Tioga Pass is now Open for the Season..
So we can easily traverse the Mountain Passes
and quickly get from one side to the other...
and have fun seeing Yosemite along the way.
That means that the "Whoa Nellie Deli"
at the Tioga Gasmart just as Hwy 120 meets
Hwy 395 should be open now also.
Fantastic food to feed all us photogs.
Wonderful late afternoon Thunder showers
this week can provide lots of nice puffy clouds
and nice sunsets. Go for a ride this
Memorial Day weekend and Enjoy Nature
and bring back some images of your
experiences... Enjoy....
PS: Be sure to bring your mosquito repellent
of choice as it is almost that time,....
Either DEET or Peppermint Essential Oil works.

Life is a Bowl of Stones

We come into this world with a bowl of light.

Each time you are angry or have a problem,

put a stone in the bowl.

You live your life as a spiritual energy.

What do you do when the bowl is full?

Realize all that weighs you down.

Empty the bowl; then begin again,

each time with new awareness.

Three principles to live by:

Love what you see with humility

Live all that you feel with reverence

Know all that you possess with discipline

I learned that our minds have unbelievable powers

that few of us can comprehend.

Each of us is a garden that we can reshape

into what we want it to be.

We are all sacred beings on our glorious planet.

"If we have no peace, it is because

we have forgotten that we belong

to each other"--Mother Teresa, Architects of Peace

Mercury Retro CAN be Good.....

Oh what a GREAT 2 days I have had...
Everything is falling into place beautifully.
I learned that MR can also bring old friends
back into your life...and it happened..
And they really were the kind that fit into
"A friend in need is a friend in deed."
Perfect timing..Synchronicity
Gotta love it...
Hope you are also having
a Great MR transit.....

Busy getting some prints ready for Exhibits...

May is turning out to be a VERY busy month.
Have 3 different exhibits I need to make
prints for and then matted and framed...
As usual, all last minute and working
with the usual deadlines..altho
I prefer to call them "Due Dates"..
doesn't sound so ominous ;-)
rather just Positive Goal Dates.
Will be busy threw the 1st of June..

Wish me luck...
NO Murphy's Law, please....LOL
Hope to take a break and make some images
along the way in between....to relax.

*cheers*

Trials of creating a new website.

These last 2 weeks have been too
Left Brained for me..I am mentally fried.
I have been learning "way more" or at least
trying to.... about domain hosts vs.
web hosts, SEO, html vs. java vs CSS
and connection to my emails so nothing
gets lost....

Sheez, I just want to Make IMAGES.....
I thought this was suppose to get easier
over the last 10 years, but it appears it
has gotten more complicated and morphed
into a many pronged monster....
Time will tell what kind of set-up I
end up with to replace my current one...
Wish me luck....

Welcome to Spring/ Happy Easter

Welcome to Spring everyone!
The wildflowers are blooming and Mother Nature is starting her annual show of celebration.

Please take time to get out and see the show
and Relax and Enjoy the FREE beauty that
this season brings. Nature is a natural
tranquilizer during challenging times.
...and also MY drug of choice ;-)

May you Celebrate this time
and soak in the beauty.

in gratitude,

Dear Mother Nature

I am dedicating this blog to you

and all that you have so freely given

and shared with me, without asking,

in my life. You have filled me up

at moments I was low, and you have

lifted me to the Heights at times

that I did not think that was possible.

I know, God, by whatever name,

you created this, and that Mother Nature

tends to your Garden.

And that together you have created some

of the True Splendors of this Earth

to Behold and us mere mortals

can only glimpse into your nature

by beholding the “tiniest spec” of what you

allow us to see.

Thank you for sharing ALL that you do

and may this Beauty that you lay out there

for Everyone, every day, for them to see,

ONLY if they are willing to OPEN their hearts

to the magnificence of it.

May that be the blessing of each of their days,

that they allow themselves to be graced

with your Natural Beauty that you have spread

SO abundantly on this planet Earth our home,

for us to see and share.

Thank You from the bottom of my heart…..

In the name of the snowflake, the lupine,

the coyote and the redwood, Amen.