Double Takes

My Telecommunications class proves to be more exciting as the semester endures.  This week we were to take "sweded" photographs of iconic movies scenes. So naturally I chose my ultimate favorite classics- Forrest Gump, A Christmas Story, and Rocky.

Featuring Jamie Clark

Featuring Kelly O'Brien and Cassi Kirk

Featuring Ryan Bays

To see some other fun and really creative examples by my colleges, browse some of the links found on our class assignments blog: 

CHECK THEM OUT!

Who's Up For A Road Trip?

So since all my requests to go overseas have been thus far unsuccessful, I have turned to this remarkable photograph as a source of vivacious inspiration for nation wide travel.

Here are some places [within US borders] I want to go:

 Dinosaur Kingdom in Natural Bridge, North Carolina

Civil War meets Mesozoic era as visitors of this theme park are told to image themselves in the lost chapter 1863 when Confederate troops stumble upon an unexpected valley of savagely dinosaurs.  

Mary Rose Herb Farm & Retreat in Bristow, Indiana

In my recent obsession with yurts, my mom found this quaint and earthly getaway just two hours south of Bloomington! 

House of Air in San Francisco, California 

Indoor trampoline park with over 42 conjoined trampolines! 

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Over 600 hot air balloons participate every October in the world's largest balloon festival and most photographed event.  Cool autumn temperatures, New Mexico landscape, vibrant colors soaring overhead against Southern blue skies, evening fireworks; somebody please buy me a ticket!

Bottle House in Rhyolit, Nevada

Due to lumber scarcity in 1906 (and a plethora of empty beer/whiskey bottles laying around this ghost town in the eastern Death Valley), Tom Kelly built this innovative home using 50,000 beer, whiskey, soda, and medicine bottles held together with adobe mud mortar.

California Redwood National Park in Crescent City, California 

How cool would it be to hug a redwood?  They're the tallest living things on our planet reaching heights of 300-350 feet with diameters of 16-18 feet! 

Burning Man Art Festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada 

Burning Man (as mentioned in a previous blog post) is an annual experimental art festival that thrives in radical self-expressionism.  Even their official website can't even put it's awesomeness into words: "Trying to explain what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the even is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind." Clothes are option but being weird is required. 

"Dune House" in Atlantic Beach, FL

 The "Dune House" designed by William Morgan in 1975 was built into the Atlantic beach sand dunes.  This natural terrain/ sustainable architecture was a precursor to the modern green movement.   

Whitewater Rafting Adventure in Canon City, Colorado

Lost Paddle Rafting Guide offers a range of trips from family friendly floating down Bighorn Sheep Canyon to class V endeavors through the Royal Gorge. 

And the best part- if you pee yourself in excitement, nobody will know!

Public Service Announcement:

Okay, I'm sorry if you're a fan or, God forbid, own a pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups, but let me just get this off my chest:

SKETCHERS SHAPE-UPS ARE BY FAR THE MOST HEINOUSLY AWKWARD STYLE OF FOOTWEAR OF ALL TIME.  OF ALL TIME.

They remind me of Baby Spice's platform sneakers meets old man orthopedic footgear plus Heelys with a touch of velcro light up shoes:

                             

                              

       

And the way the way they market them is even worse.  The, what I like to call, "lean with it, rock with it" advertisement basically explains how to walk.  Hate to break it to you, Sketchers, but I learned how to do that about 19 and a half years ago.  




There is, however, a science to looking retarded and I'll share with you the equation. One part Sketch-Ups, one part being caught outside the home in them.

They also try to market them as an athletic, multi-fitness shoe. The only thing these shoes exercise for me is my level of tolerance as I have a hard time not stopping you Sketch-Ups wearers on the street, ripping them off your feet and finding the nearest garbage truck. Somebody please get ripped from wearing these ridiculous shoes and prove me wrong.

Yours truly,

Jill.

Daily discoveries with a coincidental theme(ish) ?

Tilt-Shift Photography!

This is a camera technique that makes scenes look like miniature toy scenes.

 By: Shawn S. Ide

By: B. Tal

By: Vincent Laforet

Laughing Cow Cheese!

These miniature cheese wedges made by Baby Bell are fun to unwrap (by pulling a red tab on the individually wrapped foil) and even more fun to experiment with! They come in a variety of shapes and flavors that taste good with crackers, pretzels, raw vegetables, fruit, or just plain.

And the best part- only 35 calories!

World Water Day

As long as we're talking about things that are mini, this short film takes a minimalist approach to promote the devastating truth of water to mark World Water Day. BDDP Unlimited created a campaign that calls on journalists to raise awareness of the effects of unhealthy water. 

Friday:

Saw way too much of this...

Thursday:

We took another long bike ride to Candy Kitchen.

Saw this classy upscale motel sign advertising color TVs. Haha

Finally arrived!

Jarred Candy!

Pez dispenser collection!

Super Psych Pops!

Wednesday:

Drove to Clearwater Beach to spend the day with Braelyn and Oliviah.

Saw this kid get swarmed by seagulls after opening a bag of goldfish.

Cassi's new sunhat

Vendors selling their crafts on the pier. 

I bought a peacock colored painted leather bracelet and a dragonfly necklace necklace made out of a spoon.

Tuesday:

Went kayaking at Fort De Soto Park. I couldn't get pictures because I didn't want to bring my camera in the boat but such a great time.  We even got Captain Kirk to come along!

Fort De Soto was named one of America's Top Beaches in 2005 by "Dr. Beach" (a.k.a. Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman). I'd have to say I agree.

Then we got drinks / watched the sunset from the top floor of the Grand Plaza Hotel.  On our way up to the top floor revolving restraunt, we somehow stumbled upon this.

After our jaws hit the floor, we had a field day trying to capture the unbelievable view.

Photos don't even do justice to how gorgeous this room was.