Kelly's Quotidian

In the midst of being my dissertation proposal’s bitch, I’ve decided to take up learning how to use my expensive camera (which I bought while being a bitch to my comprehensive exams, I see a theme). It’s truly a lovely thing to start adding depth to an already pleasing experience. I love taking pictures. I never feel full pride because most of my shots are on auto settings-so while I do pick the subject matter, my camera does all the work-almost sounds like a boyfriend:-), but I digress. I recently met someone foolish enough to agree to teach me how to use my camera. The smallest of tips have felt like revolutions in understanding. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long just on auto focus-sound familiar to any other processes of life? I have always wanted to take night pics but 1) haven’t had a tripod and 2) didn’t have a clue as to how to do so on my camera other than by turning the dial to the little dude with a moon over his shoulder (doesn’t really work, not sure why “they” added this setting other than to give false hope and generally be mean). But a few eves ago, I became a photographer of the night:-) It was awesome. I love taking pictures at night. I’m dying to take “candid” night pics of people in their brightly lit windows in their dark abodes. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to refrain from this as I could probably get arrested for such activities. I really need to practice what I’ve learned because I’m afraid that my memory is just about at capacity with all this silly dissertation shit:-(

Last Friday I was graced witht the company of two outstanding individuals. One my neice, the other a dear friend. We went to First Friday down at the Blue Star Art Complex.
We were seated at a spot on a second floor deck which overlooks the throng of people walking about from gallery to gallery. Whilst whoofing our burgers, we picked people to follow. My neice has an apparent flare for deck-stalking:-) Her only delima was that her people kept walking out of view. I had a fleeting thought of how ironic it would be if we too were being visually stalked…There were some beautiful photographs and one exhibit with mixed media that I really liked. The favorite peice for the eve has to be the mirror igloo.
I crawled inside with Maddie and another little boy-who kept kicking other adults out for having shoes on. I felt a little flattered that I’d made it into the wee-people’s club. I have a couple of pictures that I took from the night below. Over all I must say that viewing art with little people is awesome-their’s something honest, refreshing, and uninhibited about the way they approach art. It could take some emulating in life…

Hotter’n Hell today, so I decided to spend almost the entire day outside, of course.
Took the suppa pups to RedBud Isle. There is nothing like the joy of furry people having a good time. It’s all so easy. Smell a tree, some feet, some ass, get wet, chase a ball, pee, smell some more ass. I suspect that we could get away with a similar routine and that we truely get in our own way when it comes to living the simple life. I’ve metioned it before, I think, but I have this ongoing idea about Uncomplicating Kelly. I’ll let you know when it reveals itself en total.

It’s been a while, I know. I missed you too. Life’s been spank’n me sore-I must like it, cause I keep coming back for more. I was on a run a few months ago around Town Lake. Just as I was about to finish shuffling (I don’t run, I shuffle) over the walking bridge, I noticed a bit of grafhiti on a cement drainage conduit at the river level. It was not terribly obvious. But the words seemed to jump out at me. All it said was “Be More”. I don’t know why but the picture of that phrase has stuck with me ever since. Two days later, Noel called and told me he had the all clear for me to go work in Russia with him…in the middle of winter. Have a I mentioned that the extent of my travels gets as exotic as Matemoros and Juarez? I’ve never really left the country, ever. I know this will shock and surprise many-as I seem the world traveler:-) Have I also mentioned that I’ve seen snow 4 times in my life. Only one of those times was it accumulated over 6 inches…winter is coming…
So, today I mailed off for my tourist visa to the Russian Consulat. It feels real now. If only this pesky Ph.D. program wasn’t getting in the way of my excitement and planning. I’ve been reading up on the Russian history via the state department web page. It’s wild to me that their current goverment is only 14 or so years old. I have also been trying to increase my Russian and picked the best site possible- Russiancyberbrides.com
I can’t wait to share my new found language skills;-) I’ve been telling everyone about my trip in order to get as much advice as possible-ironic that I was told to copy everything in my wallet an passport in case stuff got stolen. My wallet was stolen last week-fuckers. But I’m not bitter, really. Kharma will catch up with them.
Did I mention that I’m going to Russia?
For those of you who know me, you’ll realize how interesting it is that I’m not freaking out with my lack of details regarding the trip-control freak am I. I know that we’ll be spending 5 days in Moscow then traveling to a “resort” (Motel 6 style) just outside of town. I already had all types of story lines involving international intrigue and such when I got my “invitation” from our Russian counterpart (apparently you have to be invited to Russia-you don’t get to just show up). The travel agency that is “inviting” us is in Kaliningrad. So, not knowing where that is, thinking it might be on the outskirts of Moscow, I look it up. I get a link that starts out with the following paragraph, no lies:
“Sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland, it’s fair to say no other part of Eastern Europe manages to court as much negative press as Kaliningrad: dubbed a ‘corridor of crime,’ it’s perhaps better known for AIDS epidemics, drugs plagues, pollution and bleak tower blocks. Amazingly, though, there is a life beyond the horror stories.” Here’s the link.
Fuck.
Too funny.
Fuck.
I have since been told that we are not spending our time in Kaliningrad, but the possibility that we will be working with the children of the Russian mafia was not ruled out.
Be More.
Adventure.

I don\'t want to be a pie