CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-19 05:59:22 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Only 24 hours remain to shoot a selfy. I don't think there's enough time left to fit in plastic surgery. Damn. 

2013-05-18 20:19:34 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 44 +1s)

I posted so many cat videos in the last 24 hours, I really need to post something else to attempt repairing the considerable damage my reputation as serious photographer has suffered. 

2013-05-18 18:18:34 (19 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

After stalking her with my camera FOR DAYS, I finally caught Gracie on tape while she does one of her amazing tricks!

#caturday  

2013-05-18 16:21:48 (12 comments, 37 reshares, 138 +1s)

The Sad Cat Diary. 
Epic for #caturday .

2013-05-18 07:40:49 (8 comments, 4 reshares, 18 +1s)

For your late night entertainment:

2013-05-18 04:34:38 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

When her husband promised to make dinner that night, Mama Bird should have known that his secret family recipes were "Papa John's", not Papa Bird's. 

www.mamabird.me
#mamabird  

2013-05-18 03:10:18 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

OMG. I know I'm 8 years too late, but I am now officially addicted.
I CANNOT STOP WATCHING YOUTUBE!!

2013-05-18 02:34:06 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Some familiar faces in this one.

2013-05-18 07:36:51 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

She had asked him to meet her at their favourite restaurant. She wanted to tell him that maybe they needed a break from each other... that their life had become too predictable... too stale. She meant to tell him that she needed to change everything... 

He had noticed her seriousness, the stern look. And as he glanced back at her, with his gentle eyes, waiting for her to explain, she suddenly wasn't so sure anymore if she needed to change anything at all.
"So, what are we going to do this weekend?", she asked, and smiled. 

2013-05-17 20:03:47 (20 comments, 0 reshares, 65 +1s)

I don't know about you, but for ME, today is a 2-donut-day.

2013-05-17 03:52:16 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 42 +1s)

Ok. Let's see how this puppy handles panos. 
One from tonight. 

2013-05-17 02:48:08 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

"Mama Bird was upset that he had nicked all that food from her pantry, but she sure as hell didn’t want him to give it back now."

My house, tonight.

www.mamabird.me

2013-05-17 01:42:19 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

In today's video I walk around a park and try to get you away from the internet.

2013-05-16 23:28:51 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 24 +1s)

The other day, my son was my test subject when I had to set up the lighting for a portrait shoot on location ... and Auto Awesome stitched them all together. 

Almost as annoying as in real life. :)

2013-05-16 19:43:50 (22 comments, 1 reshares, 72 +1s)

Ok, I admit it: I WAS WRONG.
The new Google+ is the thing. It's the shizzle. Totally hot. Awesome. A thing of beauty. Multiple columns and all. Even now, as not everything is working just quite right yet, it's a pleasure to use. I have a new-found passion for this social network... or shall I say, this social universe. 

It doesn't happen often that I'm wrong... and even less often that I admit to it. So my advice to you is to take it in and cherish it, Google. 'Cause it may never happen again.

Oh, and ... THANK YOU! :)

2013-05-16 06:02:20 (5 comments, 17 reshares, 90 +1s)

Even Mama Bird is totally surprised by the new layout.
www.mamabird.me

2013-05-16 03:03:18 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Ok, Randomizer. We can do a deal, I'm sure. You do me that little tiny favour of picking ALL of my horizontal pictures to be displayed LARGE, and I will do a little favour for you. I'm sure we can come to an agreement. It's easy for you. Just a little tweak, right? I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. I know people. I have connections. There must be something I can do for you. Nobody needs to know. Are you getting the drift? Come on, old buddy old pal. Seriously, Randomizer. Don't make me beg. 

I mean, I will make you an offer you cannot refuse. Bro, it's going to be...

Randomizer??

#Randomizer  ??

2013-05-16 02:43:48 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

We should try this.

2013-05-15 23:24:11 (36 comments, 1 reshares, 38 +1s)

Ok, new Google UI. Let's talk about the good stuff:

1) The font. I love it. It's adorable. Fancy. Modern. Fun. Pretty. Snazzy. It's beautiful. And I love it. Have I told you that I love it?

2) Focus on Vertical Pictures. YES! I have to admit that I did neglect the portrait format somewhat because the pictures just didn't play nice on G+... fancy that. However, with this new layout, the portrait size pictures appear in their full glory. Finally. Love it.

3) Great layout, really. IF you are browsing random things. I said I'll concentrate on the good stuff. 

4) Uhm.... help me out? What else do you think is awesome??

#googleplusupdate  

2013-05-15 22:17:36 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Stop the Blister Pack Madness!

Once again, the blood of an innocent shopper has been spilled while trying to open an impenetrable blister pack. When it the madness going to end? Don't we have enough garbage in this world already? Do we REALLY need to use enormous amounts of plastic to package teeny TINY items to properly display them in the store?? There are alternatives. Many companies are already using them. Why isn't there a ban of this crap yet?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrap_rage

(Disclaimer: No real blood has been spilled in the making of this picture. Actually I did cut myself when I opened this stupid thing, but I will survive. Can someone hand me a bandaid... anyone...?)

2013-05-15 19:02:12 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Feeling overwhelmed by the new G+ data avalanche? You CAN choose a one-column-layout. :)

2013-05-15 01:28:51 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Camera Bondage?

Peak Design's Cuff and Leash aren't some kinky sex toys, but the most versatile and comfortable wrist strap/neck strap combination I found to date. 

I wanted a wrist strap I can put on the camera or take off it in a second flat. Comfortable and durable. I also wanted a shoulder strap I can adjust in length from really short to super-extra-long cross-body. Same comfy, durable finish. And my OCD demanded that my wrist and my neck strap be "a set". They have to look like they belong together. Duh.  
I wanted both to be hot-swappable, without ugly dangly-bits hanging from my camera that catch onto stuff, snap off teeth, scratch the finish, come off too easily, etc. etc. I wanted to be able to carry both straps with me at all times, without using up too much real estate in my camera bag. Look at the neck strap (to the right): This is howsma... more »

2013-05-14 01:35:22 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 22 +1s)

While I was working on my long exposure pictures, Thomas built an inukshuk by the creek. And then he meditated. No, actually I don't know what he was doing at that point, but I suspect it was his usual "Ok-mom-I'm-waiting-for-you-to-get-the-damn-picture-just-tell-me-when-I-can-move-again" posture. 

2013-05-13 22:01:55 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Today, while stitching up the hole in the crotch of my yoga pants, I wondered about life. I wondered about the reason we are here, if there is more to life than work and food, and how our past affects our future. I wondered where we came from, and where we will go, and ultimately, if they're still called yoga pants even if you don't do yoga.

2013-05-13 03:49:56 (18 comments, 1 reshares, 56 +1s)

So I went to the lake today to take a couple of pictures.
And the parking lot was roped off. I didn't care. Since there was absolutely NOBODY there, in the middle of the forest, I parked there anyway, right in front of those ropes, only to come back an hour later to find a ticket on my windshield.

Bastards. 

2013-05-11 17:16:43 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 47 +1s)

Tornado-Kitty is showing off.

#caturday  

2013-05-11 03:48:13 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

Mama Bird's Friday Night: Imagination, and Reality
Yep. Luckily even the drag makeup isn't real. 

2013-05-10 17:56:08 (12 comments, 4 reshares, 25 +1s)

I was thinking the exact same thing... :)

(Image from to Sourcefed.com)

2013-05-10 02:19:34 (26 comments, 2 reshares, 97 +1s)

I haven't taken a decent picture in days.
I drag my camera with me everywhere I go, but I just don't use it.

I think I'm in one of those phases again where I love my drive. My mojo. I wonder if I will ever get used to the ups and downs, the passion and neglect, the joy and the depression of photography. 
Probably never. 

Hello, my name is Karin and I suffer for bipolar photographic disorder. 

2013-05-08 23:55:27 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Yay! What a long awaited feature. LOVE IT!!

2013-05-08 22:28:32 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Camera straps?? ARGHHHH!!!!

Yes. They all suck more or less. However, after almost giving up, I think I found the answer to my prayers.
Will report back after I tested it.
(I may not look as cool as her, but hey, no harm in trying, right??)

2013-05-06 19:21:22 (28 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Brand new blouse. Walk through an open door, get too close to the latch, fabric gets caught on the hip, 7 inch tear. 

That's why I can never have nice things. :(

2013-05-04 18:38:47 (11 comments, 8 reshares, 85 +1s)

NO, NOT YOURZ. DIS MAH CHAIR.
#caturday  

2013-05-04 02:17:48 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

We should definitively ban them. Right now. Before the Roombas take over.

2013-05-02 22:38:33 (31 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

So I'm doing my daily tech blog reading, and I find a familiar face on the front page of Wired.com. "Hey," I think, "I know this guy!!", but then I read the title and my face turns sour.

I do not agree with this article. Are we really that narrow-minded that we won't use something because it doesn't make us look cool??

Apart from the fact that "looking cool" is purely a matter of individual taste, I don't think so. Personally, I am looking forward to trying out Google Glass for myself, and kudos to Robert Scoble for posting a picture of himself in the shower, I don't think any of the Wired writers would have the heart, humour or courage to do the same. :)

2013-05-02 18:01:45 (21 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

It's official: Photography is bad for your health.

After being examined by my doctor, she determined that the camera bag strap must have messed one of the tendons at the base of my neck while I was trying to climb down a slope without falling to my death. Indeed, it hurts where the strap would lie. I cannot move my head without pain, and it's been 4 days without getting any better. The fact that I'm sitting on the computer all day long isn't helping.

What am I learning from this? Sure, the bag is great for quick access to my gear, but for hikes - even leisurely ones - I will use my backpack from now on. I need to face it: I am only getting older, and my best-before date has expired already. 

2013-05-02 01:01:36 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Mario Biondi: Italy's answer to Barry White.
I had never heard of him before today. 

2013-05-02 00:51:00 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

So, our dear friend +kimberton pemberly has not been feeling well for a while, and kitty cannot stand for that. Kitty needs Kimberly to get better, stat. Because otherwise, kitty is going to cry. Or worse. Actually, kitty is scaring me a bit. 
#WeLoveYouPemberton  

(Disclaimer: Not my picture. I just added some background for the text...)

2013-05-01 20:15:30 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

+kimberton pemberly... we really do love you, you know?
And we really want you to get better soon. So get better soon, will ya??

#WeLoveYouPemberton  

2013-05-01 02:07:28 (41 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

Not a good day.
I'm hurting - cannot move my head without being in pain. Something is wrong in my collarbone area. To top it off, I'm running a slight fever and I can't breathe properly. At work it's busy as hell and my son came home from school telling me he got hurt by an older boy who was supposed to supervise the younger ones, so now I have to email the school. 

I am completely and utterly aware that there are millions of people that are much worse off than me. 
However, it makes me feel better to whine and complain.

So sue me.
#Losing  

2013-04-30 03:01:59 (7 comments, 3 reshares, 85 +1s)

I'm out of bubbles. Will droplets do??
#macromonday  

2013-04-29 19:25:01 (29 comments, 2 reshares, 31 +1s)

Yesterday, at 11 AM, two cars collided on an intersection about an hour from here. A minivan ran a red light and crashed into a midsize car. All 5 occupants in that car died instantly. A mother, her baby girl, her young son, their aunt, and their grandma. Debris was scattered over 600 feet around the impact site. There was nothing left of the car but the engine block. For hours, police didn't know the make or model of the car - it had simply "dissolved".
The driver of the other vehicle, the person who apparently caused the crash, survived - but will he be able to live with himself?

Everything can change, in just one instant. 
Slow down, people. Take a deep breath and just slow down.

2013-04-29 02:24:20 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

So, what am I doing wrong? I downloaded the Nik Plugins and now it tells me I have only 14 days in the trial... but I bought the whole set in 2012?
How is this free upgrade supposed to work?

Edit: Check your spam folder, people. Your free upgrade email from Google may be in it - it was for me. :)

2013-04-29 09:57:54 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 78 +1s)

I battled rainstorms, 3 busloads for of Asian tourists and a steep climb on muddy grounds with threadless shoes to bring you this 3 minute exposure of Bridal Falls. 
Sometimes I wonder why the hell I put up with all of that. What do I get out of it? A crummy picture.

2013-04-28 18:26:26 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 41 +1s)

Sunday afternoon.
(On the right hand side, a part of the Tobiano Golf Course in Savona, BC). 

2013-04-27 17:55:41 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 48 +1s)

ALL DIS TALKIN BOUT GOOGLE GLAS GIVEZ ME A SAD CUZ I DOAN HAS IT..

#caturday   #notglass  

2013-04-26 23:40:51 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 45 +1s)

I know, +Tamara Pruessner - I neglected you. But this is for you. Only for you. And for #floralfriday . 'Cause you and Floral Friday, you go together like  peanut butter and chocolate. Or peanut butter and bacon. Everything goes well with #bacon . 

2013-04-26 18:42:18 (40 comments, 0 reshares, 36 +1s)

The Boob Bumper

When carrying my camera around my neck, I found the best position for it is right smack dab in the center of my bosom... nestled in between two bumpers that will not allow the camera swing about when I'm walking. I do feel a wee bit stupid, with that third "boob" sticking out, but it's just so much more comfortable for me. Plus I don't have to worry about the camera bumping anything else. I am going to have to adjust my new camera strap, but oh well, it's not the first time I have to custom make something. Pretty much all my gear is somewhat custom made.

So now, when a guy checks out my chest area, is it because of my camera, or the "bumpers"??

2013-04-25 15:52:09 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 41 +1s)

Yeah. So I took a lot of photos of that one flower.
Seriously, these flowers are expensive. You have to make good use of them.

Purple flower in watering can.
Purple flower with droplets.
Purple flower without droplets.
Purple flower on wood.
Purple flower from the left.
Purple flower extreme closeup.
Purple flower extreme closeup from underneath.
Purple flower with flash.
Purple flower without flash.
Purple flower is haunting my dreams.

2013-04-24 23:34:16 (20 comments, 2 reshares, 80 +1s)

I just took 2,873 pictures of a purple flower. I may end up posting a few hundred.