Scotland

I have a million posts planned about my epic trip to Scotland, but until I have the time, please enjoy my photos:

Photos of Scotland!!!


+ Title from My Love For Danger

Ballad Of Big Nothing

#31DDD Take A Picture Of Your Fridge


Well, I don't have a fridge so there's that.

Boo

For the IndieInk Photo Battle (#IIPhoto) this week, Lis Rock challenged me with "BOO" and I challenged Jennifer with "Cold."

Free Fallin'

snowflakes
Originally uploaded by wvs

This makes me love snow even more! This is exquisite.

+Title From Tom Petty

Silent Night

Silent Night
Originally uploaded by scarls17

Happy Halloween!

Remover
Originally uploaded by scarls17

Fashion Victim

The other thing I did recently is a photoshoot for my brother and sister-in-law's store. First of all, go check out their website: Turnstyle. Did you go?

Jobeth asked me to come take picture so of their new clothes they would be carrying this fall in their store. I said yes, because it sounded like fun, but then I started thinking about it and was kind of terrified. Although, I wasn't. It's hard to explain. I was concerned about lighting, but I figured I'd just wing it somehow.

I don't have some crazy notion that I am a great photographer. I like to do it, but I often have no idea what I'm doing. I know a good picture when I see it, and I've taken some of them myself, but if good photographers like Terra are on one planet, then I am on another one wondering how I can get to theirs.

When I showed up that Saturday I had no idea what to expect. Five minutes in, though, and I was relaxed and having a great time. Once I had about 40 shots and several looked good, I knew things were going to be okay.

I hadn't even though about what role I would play. I naively assumed I would just be taking the pictures, but while Jobeth styled the models, I had to direct them. "Gorgeous!" "Don't bend your leg!" "Fill in the empty space!" I'm not going to lie, America's Next Top Model was my savior. I even joked for one girl to "Smile with [her] eyes!"

Lighting did prove to be one of my biggest obstacles, but we worked around what we had and even moved the furniture around to help our cause. I took 543 shots in two hours and even without Photoshop (which I don't even have and never use), I was happy with what we got. Here are some of my (unedited!) favorites:

Bring My Love

My love of fall and winter is kind of weird. I mean, I still don't understand preferring heat to coolness, but I don't know many people who get as excited as I do when the leaves begin to change and the temperatures drop. I was just looking online to see when the peak times are to see the changing leaves in New England because I desperately want to take a weekend and drive up there.

How can this stuff not totally pump you up!?













Xo,
SVR

Something Anything

You know what I'm bad at (don't really answer): updating this blog.

You know what I'm good at (and I'm not talking about what's written in the mens' bathroom): lists.


+ Two weekends ago we went Cabining for Serena's birthday. Except for the unwanted early wake up time, it was better than I expected. And I only say that because close quarters are sometimes not ideal. It worked out, though, and I would venture to say that Serena had a good time, which is most important.

+ This past weekend ended up being great even though it began with no plans at all. Friday night Ali and I hit up Happy Hour (*love*) and were later joined by Brendan and then Serena. I pounded five beers and then we changed location where I had one more. Love me some beer. I had to work the next morning, but really, what's a Saturday shift at work when I am not exhausted?

+ After work I uploaded pictures while waiting to leave for the Wine Party that Nina and Patty were having. The party was so much fun! I love how we started out the evening feeling like adults while discussing the wine and ended with Randi schooling us all on Janet vs Michael Jackson dance moves. Somehow I managed to stay awake until the wee hours of the morning to fully maximize my awesome Saturday night.

+ Sunday was the day I had been looking forward to: my day off. I slept in, shopped a little, relaxed, and then dozed off and on until the game started. I can't believe the Redskins didn't win. I also can't believe the commentator made an opera reference.

+ What else is going on...let' see...Tomorrow we're having sectionals in orchestra and I have not played for two weeks. I usually have very good luck with killing it when I need to, but this time is a little different as my part is beyond difficult because I don't have an A clarinet and don't know anyone who has one for me to borrow.

+ At the moment I am trying to find the perfect picture of me with bangs in order to email a friend to get his opinion. My hair is super long right now and my bangs are about to chin level, but I miss them. What do you think? Just kidding, not that one...how about this one? Ok now for real: what do you think?

+ The last CDs I have purchased are: Kings Of Leon, Eagles Of Death Metal, Goldfrapp, Mark Lanegan, Travis, and Snow Patrol. Given to me were Black Angels and Gutter Twins. #1 on the new Kings Of Leon is amazing.

+ I love that it's finally getting cold out.

XO,
SVR

Transport Is Arranged

Did you hear about the tragic story of the 18-wheeler falling off the Bay Bridge on Sunday? Here is a picture of it Ali and I took on our way across. We got stuck in about two hours of traffic waiting to cross, but who can complain when someone died. The goosebump worthy thought is that we had planned on leaving two hours earlier.

Type Slowly

More Lists Or You Won't Get Anything:

• I tried to blog some pictures earlier, but it wouldn't work and I wasn't about to sit there and try for the 4th time. Go look at my flickr.
  
• People who steal shit suck at life. Unless you're Winona Ryder because I really liked Little Women and Edward Scissorhands.
  
• I kind of want to read Chelsea Handler's new book.
  
• Anyone agree that Grey's Anatomy is going for the gross out award? I didn't really like the contest.
• My TiVo didn't get America's Next Top Model last night so I watched parts of it on YouTube today while at Pantera uploading pics. I won't spoil it for people who haven't seen it, but I wasn't happy with the decision.
  
• 48 Hour Film Project in DC is quickly approaching...anyone else participating?
  
• I almost bought a yellow shirt yesterday. SO unlike me.
  
• I had a weird/funny dream last night.
  
• I bought Zyrtec today since what I had been taking wasn't doing it's job. We shall see.
  
• The mind is a terrible thing.
  
• My car is being towed tomorrow to get fixed. My rental car gets 24 miles to the gallon-UGH! My car is much better and I miss it.
  

XO,
SVR

Southern Girl

I'm in Lexington, VA. Here are some pictures:


I have a dirty mind.


These smell like ball sweat, but they're pretty.



The sky was gorgeous today.




I love trees.


XO,
SVR

I Want You To Stay

I had a mini-realization a moment ago that maybe my inability to blog is because it is reminding me too much of paper writing and writing papers is the last thing I want to be doing right now. So, to get away from that feeling, but to still blog, I present you the following: bullets.

• It was cold and windy today and I think it improved my mood ten fold when I stepped outside into it this afternoon. Although, to be fair, anytime I clock out and leave work my mood improves.
• I had a "Night With The Guys" last night. It was fun. I told them not to hold back and to talk about chicks and sports all they wanted. I did object when one started talking about the wonders of the thong and how I should wear one Friday when we all go out. Ummmm, no! He was just teasing, though, to be fair.
  
• For some reason, many of the photographs I have that involve cigarettes and smoking have more hits than my other photos. Should this be my "thing"? Note: Not ME smoking.
  
• I was told today that I "layered perfectly". That's maybe one of the best things a person could ever tell me.
  
• I'm actually about to fall asleep. This list is going to be shorter than I thought!

XO,
SVR

In The Fade

School is kicking my ass. No, let me rephrase: School is trying to kick my ass. I won't let it. I'm working on what is currently a 16 page paper that isn't even near completion. After this I have to write a 3-5 page paper for Thursday, and a presentation for the following week (that I have to meet with my partner for on Wednesday morning). Meanwhile, I need to be thinking about two research papers...no, three a few more baby papers and at least three annotated bibliographies.

1) I feel busier than ever and I'm not sure why. I had to email my paper partner my schedule and I apologized for the lack of free time. Now that school and orchestra are back in session, my hours unplanned are severely limited.

2) I loathe group work. With such passion that I can't think of words bad enough to describe it. It's not that I dislike working with others or get bad partners, I just feel like it takes more time than it could if I did it by myself. And I don't like being told when to work. I would rather procrastinate on my own!

3) I think a class that is on a Saturday from 9-430pm is cruel.

4) THIS IS MY LAST SEMESTER!!!!!!!

OK, #4 really helps. Back to writing this paper because as soon as it's done, I can write about San Francisco! In the meantime, go look at my pictures and comment, please.

XO,
SVR

Stare

I tried to go on a photo field trip today around Fauquier County, but during my drive down Spring Road it started raining. No, pouring. It lightened and then stopped as I got to Main Street in Warrenton, so I parallel parked and began to walk around, forcing myself to try to see things different so I would get some good shots.

Then it started raining again.


So now I am in Pantera Bread trying quite unsuccessfully to upload my pictures via their free wireless connection. It is not working very well and I'm about to give up and head home. Why is it so difficult for me to get pictures online?!

Crazy Beautiful

Go check out yet another set of photos from our Happy 21st Birthday To Everyone party...


Allie's Fotki.



Hottness.

When The Sun Goes Down

As always, comment away!