Hello all you wonderful people. I've been entering a lot of contests on dA lately, mostly because it motivates me to actually fix up photos and post them and all that jazz (it also has a lovely side effect of letting more people see my photography which makes me happy in and of itself)

One of the contests that I entered is on the theme "Summer Vacation" had over 50 entries, and I am currently in the top 10. Voting is going on within the top 10 right now, and I would love to encourage all you lovely people to go vote. I would love it if you would vote for me, (You can vote until September 13th!) but I also believe that voting for someone purely cause you know them and not cause you like that photo best is a somewhat "popularity contest" way to win. That being said, vote however you want. I just wanted to bring your attention to it. The poll in which the voting is taking place can be found here [link] and mine is the photo with the two people fishing silhouetted against the sunset (for those of you wondering). Also, to clear up any confusion, yes =The-Canon-Club hosted this contest, but it was open to non-Canon users too (as I am rather attached to my Nikon)

Another of the contests that I entered (which can be found here [link]) was an August Mini contest on the theme "Recreation". I made it in to the top 25 (out of 106 entries I believe), and ended up coming in 14th place which I was really excited about, and I'm still kinda shocked that people think my photography is of even near the same caliber as many of the other top 25 entries.

I've entered a whole bunch of other contests too, and I will update more on them as I have more info. The world is an ever changing place, and one of these days I will update regarding the changes in my life too.. one of these days. For now, I will go to bed.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful summer!

So, I still havn't updated my gallery, but I swear I will soon. Moving on.

It was my Birthday on Wednesday. I'm 20 now! I feel like I should feel old, or like life has suddenly changed, but in all honesty it's exactly the same as it was 3 days ago. But that's okay. Things are looking up, and 20 stands to be a year of improving health and artistic growth. Or something

Highlights from my birthday - Dr.Horrible on Dvd (with Commentary - the musical!!! I nearly died laughing), Double Stuffed Oreos (much yum), and... A HULA-HOOP! My sister bought me this fabulous big hula-hoop (hand made, not factory made), that has hot pink and purple stripes, and black and white checkers. And, the best part - glows under black lights! SQUEE! Not only did she get me the super awesome hula-hoop, but she got herself one too, and in the fall we are going to take a hula-hoop dancing class together. Which I think is awesome. Much excitement shall ensue.

I had an assessment for a Pain clinic in Edmonton today. I think of it as a birthday present to myself. With any luck I will be starting a program in a few weeks to help me get rid of some of the pain, and improve my general well being, strength, endurance, etc etc. They said that it seems like mechanically everything is working fine, it's just a case of my muscles being deconditioned and over reacting to stimulus. So, the goal is to remind my body that it's okay to use my muscles, and regain some more functionality. Woot!

Anyways. That's enough rambling for now. I shall leave you with a little feature thingy - featured me in her latest journal, so here is the deal : the first 20 people to comment this journal _{(haha I don't think I've ever had 20 people comment on one of my journals)} will get a feature of 3 of their works (my personal faves)! After you've commented and I've featured you, please make a journal entry like this of your own, and feature me there at the first place please If you have no Subscriber function _{like me}, you can set the links to the images instead of thumbnails. Visit the features, give them some love!

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I've taken a lot of photos lately (Canada Day, family camping trip to the Lake, Street Performers Festival)and I promise that I will update soon. It's just that right now my only editing tools are Windows Picture Manager, and Picasa. Within the next few weeks I should be getting a desk top set up with PhotoShop on it, and then I can do proper editing. Right now it just feels like everything could just turn out so much better if I wait for photoshop, so I'm reluctant to post anything cause it just... I duno, doesn't feel like anything is coming out as good as I want it to be. Maybe I'm just getting more critical, or maybe I'm starting to take this more seriously. I really love doing photography. I don't know if I'll ever get paid to do it, but for now, it makes me happy and I think that is what's important. So, I might put up a few things in the next little while, but I promise that by the end of the month I will have put stuff up for sure.

Lately I've also really wanted to do some photoshoots (with actual people, instead of just nature shots, or spontaneous stuff, which is all I can usually do). The problem is I have NO idea how to photograph people, and no real opportunity to practice. I feel silly asking any of my friends to model for me when I have no idea how to pose or direct them, and no way of guaranteeing that I'll even get decent shots. Should I just go for it and hope for the best? Or do most people have an idea what they are doing before they shoot? I've wanted to do some modeling too, but I get nervous and awkward on that side of the lens, and I feel like I don't photograph well.. Though that could just be me having self-image issues.. What do you think? Opinions?

One other thing. I've cleaned out my gallery a little bit lately, taking out stuff that I don't think is great (or frankly that is from a part of my life that I'd rather move on from, and am slightly embarrassed by how "oh woe is me teenager" I came across as), and it seems like the stuff that I look at now and kinda shake my head and go "what was I thinking" or "wow.. that's crap" got more comments, views, and favorites then the stuff I'm putting up now that I'm really proud of. I've even ended up leaving up some stuff that I'm not thrilled with purely because it has favorites and comments, and it feels weird taking down something that other people seem to have liked. I know that everyone always says "oh it doesn't matter if anyone else likes it as long as you do", and as much as I try to remember that, I can't help but wonder why my teenage angst stuff seemed to be so much more appreciated then the stuff that I feel is truly beautiful and am really proud of. Any opinions or suggestions on this front?

Thanks for sticking with me,

Colette

Rest in Peace . You left this world far too soon, and you will be dearly missed within the dA community. You were an amazing artist, and an inspiration to so many people. I hope that your husband and daughter, as well as friends and family, can find solace in your memory and your art, though I know that nothing will take away the pain of your death.

There are times when I see someone, and it's like looking at a memory of my past. They are there in front of me, but there's a gossamer curtain between us; a curtain that shows them as they were...shows me as I was. And before I know it, I'm missing them. I forget about the hurt and the lies and the anxiety and all I see is a friend, or a lover. I see a part of my heart that I thought I had left behind. This iridescent veil reminds me of the things I never said... the things I should have said...

I'm sorry I couldn't be who you needed.

I'm sorry I couldn't love you the way you loved me.

I'm sorry that you felt you couldn't tell me the truth.

I'm sorry that I couldn't help you understand.

Just because you pushed me away....

Just because I left....

Doesn't mean I don't still love you.
Because I do.
And I think a part of me always will.
Love Always,

The Girl Who Held Your Hand,

The Girl Who Held Your Heart,

Colette