So you think you have the right of way because your car has five times as many cylinders as mine? You think even though (technically) you don’t have the right of way, that you have enough horsepower to squeeze past me and no one will even notice? I realize that you are a VERY important person in a REALLY big hurry but I have news for you—you hot shot driver. Your reckless driving is going to kill someone.
In order to prevent tragedy in the future, I’d like to offer some remedial driving lessons:
Right of way. You don’t have it just because you drive a high performance vehicle. Yes, I understand it is a certain right of passage to be able to purchase a BMW (and congratulations, by the way, on your status in life). But right of passage isn’t the same as right of way. For example, if a driver is turning right at a green light, and you are turning left at that very same green light, you don’t have the right of way. Let’s pretend a driver is on a ramp to enter the freeway, and you’re driving behind them—again you’re in a big hurry—so in order to pass them, you take the car pool ramp. The car on the freeway ramp doesn’t see you gaining on them in the car pool ramp. They don’t realize you are about to overtake them. You do not have the right of way.
Zig zag. It’s a fun thing to say, “Zig, zag” (not too many words start with the letter Z). It’s thrilling, I know. And I do understand as previously stated that you are a V.I.P. and in a big hurry. But weaving in and out of traffic doesn’t get you to your appointment sooner. Although if your appointment is with the Big Guy upstairs, then maybe it will. This is rude and dangerous driving.
Speeding on icy roads. So your car is equipped with all-wheel-drive and crazy performance under the hood. It’s no match for mother nature. When you hit a patch of ice—and you will, we live in Minnesota, after all—your all-wheel-drive won’t save you. Your car will glide and pirouette with grace and ease until a object crosses your path bringing you to a crashing halt.
And so today, you BMW driver who thinks you are hot stuff, I have a message for you: slow down, pay attention, put down your crack-berry and learn to play nice with the other drivers in the sand box. At the end of the day, all drivers on the road—despite their make and model—are just people sitting in machines. And each of us has a life. And it’s precious. Drive safe.
P.S. I realize this letter is addressed to BMW drivers. The reason I chose this luxury vehicle to illustrate my point is because it was a BMW driver who almost killed me today. I realize that bad drivers come in all shapes and sizes. In no way do I discriminate against drivers of high performance vehicles. But I do dislike people who drive recklessly.
Yesterday was a beautiful day. The light was amazing and the snow was glistening. On my way to work, I saw many photos I wanted to take. But I didn’t have time. When I arrived at work, I greeted a co-worker and said in a cheerful tone, “Isn’t it just a beautiful day?” She flashed me a look which screamed that I was off my rocker. So I revised my statement. “It is miserably COLD outside, but it sure is VISUALLY beautiful.” My co-worker gave me a look of understanding.
Since yesterday was New Years Eve, our office closed up early, which meant I had daylight hours to shoot photos! Here’s what I captured.
Icicles on my garage. Yes, I did get out a step ladder to shoot these photos.
I never realized how much air gets trapped in icicles.
Don’t you just love the shadows and lovely light here? This is a great example of how great lighting can occur in fleeting moments. When I arrived home from work, the light looked like this. By the time I dragged out the ladder and was ready to shoot, the light had dissipated due to some light cloud cover. So I waited it out and within five minutes the light was back. Sometimes the greatest skill a photographer can acquire is patience.
I shot this photo because I liked the contrast between light and shadow and the texture of the snow itself.
Ice crystals in snow.
Great texture of ice on the sidewalk being eroded away by salt.
Snow on an evergreen shrub.
I wish you a heartfelt Happy New Year and send wishes for a prosperous 2010. Cheers!
I’ve come to a realization: it’s actually really hard to shoot outdoor photos in the winter. There are a few key reasons keeping me from shooting:
The frigid, arctic temperatures. (Those who know me well understand that I hate being cold. I even wear scarves indoors. In my cube at work, I run my space heater year round.)
Less daylight. I work during the bright hours of the day. By the time I get home it looks like it’s bedtime. So I stay inside.
Did I mention how cold it is outside? I have gift cards and Christmas money to spend, but I can’t even bring myself to go to the mall. Because it’s cold outside. I—Lisa Valley—don’t want to shop because I live in a polar ice cap.
Why do I tell you all this information? Only because I want you to really appreciate the lengths I go through to share these wintry, icy, freezing, frost-forming photos.
Side note: Jesse is sitting here discussing this post with me. He hasn’t read it yet. He said, “So do your readers even know how much you despise the cold?”
Well, now you do!
How cool is it to see a liquid frozen mid-pour? Very cool.
I love to shop Target. I shop there every week. Last week while shopping, I saw these iTunes gift cards for sale. As advertised, the $25 iTunes gift card costs you $25. Regular price $25. Funny? Yes. Usually when you advertise a product, you give an offer or discount along with the message. I guess Target just really wanted their customers to know they carry the gift cards. Here’s a tip for those of you who want to buy discounted iTunes cards: buy them at Costco.
Although I’m not jazzed about the cold weather, runny nose and giant puffy coats—there is one thing I can’t deny: fresh snow falls are beautiful. Here are some photos I took on Wednesday, morning after our first big wintry storm.
The holidays are in full swing and I’ve been busy designing holiday cards for Jesse’s photography studio. He has a great promotion coming up on Saturday, December 12. I’ve spent a great deal of time designing 5×8 inch card templates for this promotion. Here they are:
The promotion is a super good deal, here are the details:
Saturday December 12 • $25 for a one-hour session (FREE session when you order 50 or more holiday cards) • Review photos on the spot and select your favorite • Choose from several card designs to go with your photo (see designs above). For more information, visit jessevalley.com. To book your session, call Jesse Valley Photography at 612.382.2867.
I put so much love into designing these holiday card templates, so I hope the day fills up with sessions! If you have friends or family who would be interested in this promotion, pass it on—Jesse Valley Photography gives rewards for referrals!
The first time I saw the Trident Layers TV ad, I commented on how stupid/silly it was. The second time I saw it I decided it was genius.
For the first time, in a long time, a TV ad compelled me to purchase a product (most of the time, I think ads subconsciously affect me). So I made a conscious decision to by the Trident Layers next time I went to the store.
In the Target check out aisle, I remembered to buy some. My check-out aisle was out of the gum. I had to check five more registers before I found a pack of gum! The ad is definitely working!
I opened the gum right after the checker scanned it. My first impressions of the gum were good. After unwrapping the cellophane outer wrapper, the scent of strawberry wafted through the air. I was impressed by the packaging, which features embossing and roll out effect with pouches for the sticks of foil wrapped gum.
And now for the taste test. For the first thirty seconds of chewing, the flavor of strawberry is powerful and almost overwhelming! The flavor dulls down to a fresh, yet fruity flavor which lasts much longer than I’m even willing to chew the gum.
Trident gets an “A” for advertising, an “A” for packaging and an “A” for product. Well done.
