focus52|2012 {week ten} march 4 to march 10

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I have to tell you, last week was the most fun I've had browsing through the work of this fabulously creative group. The things you guys came up with for the prompt 'starts with J' have been just blowing me away. I've alternated between amazement, admiration and out-loud giggles at the creative spins some of you came up with. So much fun! Seriously, hats off to you guys. And thank you so much for indulging me on my birthday week. I've been entertained all week long :)

This week, our focus52 prompt is ...

Words are all around us, everywhere we look. The trick is to keep your eyes open and spot out the interesting ones. The ones that tell a story, grab your attention or stop you in your tracks (hint-hint).

Now don't just run out, take a picture of some sign and call it a day, thinking you have your "word" for the week. The sign is all well and good, but try your best to think  about your composition, depth of field, point of view ... interestingness! (yes, that's a word). Will your photo grab the viewer? Or will they glance and move on? Make it interesting.

You could also choose to manufacture your own words photo. Do you journal? Take a self portrait of yourself in action. And with this too - get creative. An interesting crop makes a world of difference. Do you have a particular phrase or poem that speaks to you? Work it into your photo. How about a favorite book? Get it in the shot.

Words, words, words. I challenge you to find some :)

Whatever you choose to do this week, follow the prompt or no, come back here and link up your work when you're done (weeks run Sunday to Saturday, don't forget!). Links must be to the direct URL of your actual work, not just to the site it's posted in, and may be a link to your blog post or to your flickr photo. Also, please don't link and run - try to find some time to visit at least a few of your fellow 52'ers. That's half the fun! And don't forget the flickr pool!

Remember, you do not need to use the prompt in order to come back here and share.

Have fun, 52'rs!




on birthdays {9/52}

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When I was (a little bit) younger, used to be that I'd absolutely LOVE my birthday. I'd have a full on birthday week. All birthday, all the time. Party, party, party.

And then I got (a little bit) older, and birthdays started to take on a new meaning. It meant another year older, more wrinkles, more hair dye ... you get it, right? Birthdays - ugh.

But this year, well, things are different. I'm re-evaluating my stance on birthdays.

Since this time last year, I've

Quite a year, right?

On February 8th, I did my last session of chemotherapy. I had a CT scan last week and won't have the results of that until later in March, but by all accounts - dare I say it? - things look pretty damn good.

This year, I am quite grateful to see another birthday. I am beyond thankful to just be here.

J is for ...

Forty-three this year. You'll likely never hear me admit to that again.

I struggled with this self-portrait. Is it a true representation of me at this time? Nope. That's not my hair, my eyebrows are penciled in ... hell, those aren't even my eyelashes. The bags under my eyes? Yeah, those are mine.

The point is ... this is the me I present to the world on a daily basis. I get up, get ready for work, put on my makeup and hair and off I go. The saying "look good, feel good" just couldn't hold more truth and it's one of the things that has gotten me through this little battle I've been waging. Confidence is a mighty sword and on days when I've felt it would be all too easy to give up, hide in a corner and feel sorry for myself, this little ritual has got me up, got me going and kept me moving forward.

So again, is this a true representation of me at this time?

Yes.

It's the me that's kicked some pretty good ass all year and come out on the other side, still smiling.

Me, at 43.

Me, happy to say that yes, it's my birthday.

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2012! are you in?

Hosted at twoscoopz! You can visit or join the focus52 flickr group here. My own focus52 project can be found on flickr here or by clicking 'my f52' in the category list to the right.

focus52|2012 {week nine} february 26 to march 3

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On this day, some thirty-two, thirty seven, shaddup I'm not telling you numerous years ago, there was born a fair maiden in a Kingdom far, far away. Fair of skin with golden locks ...

*ahem*

It's my birthday.

This time last year, our focus52 group prompt was all about celebrating YOU (and there are some great posts back there if you follow the link). This year? It's all about me.

Sorta kinda.

If you weren't aware, Hi! My name is Janice :)   And this week's focus52 prompt is ...

Anything at all that starts with the letter J - that's your goal this week. It could be an actual item or thing, a play on words or word combination, it could be an emotion, it could be a place or an action ... think about some words that start with 'J' and let your imagination fly from there. Noun, verb, adjective ... let the word be the catalyst and get creative with this one. And let me just apologize in advance for not having a name that starts with an easier letter - gotta love a challenge, right?

Indulge me. It's my birthday right :)

Whatever you choose to do for week nine, follow the prompt or no, come back here and link up your work when you're done (weeks run Sunday to Saturday, don't forget!). Links must be to the direct URL of your actual work, not just to the site it's posted in, and may be a link to your blog post or to your flickr photo. Also, please don't link and run - try to find some time to visit at least a few of your fellow 52'ers. That's half the fun! And don't forget the flickr pool!

Remember, you do not need to use the prompt in order to come back here and share.

Did I mention it's my birthday? :)

Happy Birthday to me ... Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeee ...




good morning {8/52}

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A surprise cinnamon bun from my Husband, morning light streaming through the back door ...
and suddenly I have my photo for this week.

good morning

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2012! are you in?

Hosted at twoscoopz! You can visit or join the focus52 flickr group here. My own focus52 project can be found on flickr here or by clicking 'my f52' in the category list to the right.

focus52|2012 {week eight} february 19 to 25

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Welcome to week eight, 52'rs! Are you all Valentine'd out from last week's prompt? I didn't have time this past week to get around and comment to everybody (and I'm already late with this post!) but I did have time to browse. I thoroughly enjoyed all of your photos and I've loved all of the red showing up in our flickr pool. Great work!

I don't know about you, but around this time of year I've just about had my fill of winter. I'm done with the cold, damp days and the sun setting at noon. Okay, exaggeration there, but you get my point. So this week, we're going to give the February blahs a little shot in the arm (or kick in the butt if you prefer).

I can hear you right now ... "omg Janice, where are we going to find light in February, dammit!"

Stop cursing me out :)

This week, spend some time searching out the light. Take notice of your surroundings and perhaps the way some beautiful window light is falling on an object nearby or creating an inviting pattern on the floor or wall. It doesn't have to be a blinding ray of sunshine or overly obvious.  And you could also try your hand at creating your own light as well, maybe have some fun playing with shadows and highlights. Turn on a small lamp and take note of the way it lights it's surroundings. Light a candle. Play with portrait lighting. Anything to do with light - that's your goal.

Maybe you'll get lucky and enjoy a day of sunshine (but try to stay away from shooting in direct sunlight - it's not your friend). You never know - it could happen.

At the very least, try to have some fun this week and kick the February blahs to the curb.

Whatever you choose to do for week eight, follow the prompt or no, come back here and link up your work when you're done (weeks run Sunday to Saturday, don't forget!). Links must be to the direct URL of your actual work, not just to the site it's posted in, and may be a link to your blog post or to your flickr photo. Also, please don't link and run - try to find some time to visit at least a few of your fellow 52'ers. That's half the fun! And don't forget the flickr pool!

Remember, you do not need to use the prompt in order to come back here and share.

Have a great week!