Pursuit nineteen: A moment captured in time

Yesterday after a year and a half I finally put new ink cartridges in my printer here at school. With the hustle and bustle of schoolwork, studying abroad, and enjoying life, I did not get around to purchasing new ink cartridges for my printer. After setting the cartridges in place and letting the printer do its job of printing out an alignment page, I thought all was set and done. However, a couple of seconds after the alignment page printed out the printer started to print again.

Low and behold, after a year and a half this image printed out before my eyes...

I was shocked and excited to see this photo collage that I created for my fall 2009 Advertising 340 class sitting in the printer for me to view. This collage had been waiting as time past through a year and a half to actually print (I suppose I ran out of ink when I went to print it haha). These individual photos within the collage capture a moment in time when I had the great experience of traveling to Ghana, Africa. Each image has a story behind it for me, so it was fun to take a moment out of my afternoon to revisit these photos that I used to create the collage.

The view from the Cape Coast Castle

Some sweet schoolboys that we met

I was very impressed by her balance

Monkeys enjoying the bananas that we fed to them by hand

Climbing on a canopy walk through Kakum National Park

Although not from Ghana, I used this kite in my collage

A pretty sunset after a long bus ride listening to the same Bob Marley CD over and over again with our bus driver

This random encounter with my photo collage from sophomore year of college reminded me to stop every once and awhile to appreciate the moments captured in my lifetime that have shaped the way I think, feel, act, and explore.

Following my pursuits,

Price

Pursuit eighteen: The (messy) things we do for LOVE

 Having grown up with dogs my entire life, going to college and being without a furry companion for the first three years was a major adjustment for me. So, this past summer I made the big leap and adopted my first pet, Smith, a three-year-old Chocolate Lab from the Young-Williams Animal Center here in Knoxville. It has been a great experience having a dog with me at college, and I do not regret taking on the responsibility. However, there have definitely been some aspects of owning my own dog that I have never had to deal with up until this point... A.K.A poop duty.

As a child I never really remember noticing "Scoop the Poop" signs in peoples yards, but maybe that is because I was in my own child-like world at that point so I never paid attention. However, as I have progressed in age and the world has changed, I feel like there are Scoop the Poop signs everywhere...

Now I am all for keeping the world clean and habitable for all living creatures, but I must admit that I have a major weakness for scooping poop. Thanks to my father, I inherited the inability to be around any displeasing odors or unidentifiable objects. So, this relatively new task of being the sole caretaker for Smith and making sure that I do my "civic duty" by cleaning up his waste has made me grow up in some respects.

However, at points while walking him I have definitely wished that gas masks would somehow come into fashion so that I could walk around seemingly unnoticed while I take care of doggy duty business and retain my sensory sanity...

But until that day comes, I can either train Smith to clean up his own poop...

like this dog here...

or take some of those at times unwilling steps of growing up... and clean up the mess because although this one little aspect of owning a dog is unpleasant, there are definitely more rewards from having him in my life.

Wish me luck on this pursuit!

Following my pursuits,

Price

Pursuit seventeen: "House Hunting"

For all of my avid followers I am sorry for the absence on my blog. I was enjoying time with family and friends over the holidays, as well as looking for pursuits with substance of mine to write about for you!

While at home in Memphis for Christmas break, I spent a good bit of time watching two of my favorite television shows House Hunters and House Hunters International on HGTV (Home & Garden Television) because they happened to be on TV almost every single night. This show is perfect for me because for as long as I can remember I have had a passion that I have mostly kept to myself (really just my parents and a handful of people know) for interior design and the architecture of houses. I enjoy the detail and thought that go into designing a home, the different styles of architecture, and the quality of good craftsmanship.

http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters/show/index.html

http://www.hgtv.com/

http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/show/index.html

The premise behind House Hunters and House Hunters International is to give viewers an inside look into peoples housing options and their ultimate decisions when trying to purchase a home (whether it be for vacation or primary living). During each episode, the person, couple, or family who is looking to buy tours three different homes in a certain city. Each of the three homes can be listed for various prices, have varying architectural styles, and can be located in different parts of a city. 

One of the most fascinating parts for me while viewing these shows is to see what the potential home owner(s) view as important qualities in a home. Is it the size or price that is important to them, the location, and do they like an older home with character or a new home that gives them a fresh start? At the end of each episode, the show has a reveal that announces which of the three homes the participant(s) ultimately chose. I love trying to guess which house they are going to purchase before it is announced (I have even gotten my parents and brother in on this show and the guessing of which house is chosen at the end of the episode haha). 

Whenever I am out walking or driving around I take in the design of buildings and homes. In my recent "house hunt" I captured several photos of homes that intrigued me architecturally. Now let me tell you that I felt like a total sketch ball slowly bringing my car to a stop to snap a photo of these homes all the while my dog was passed out in the passenger seat. The idea of someone writing down my license plate number as a potential robber or creeper in these neighborhoods was comic relief but also a true concern for me haha... 

The modern style of this apartment with clean lines is really appealing to me. I would love to know the interior design style of this apartment (loft style?). 

Although it is hard to see in this particular photo, the stone and woodwork of this home is amazing!

I am also a lover of more traditional style homes.

Following my pursuits,

Price

Special thanks to:

HGTV: http://www.hgtv.com/

Pursuit sixteen: Traditions

Tradition: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)

It is always around the holiday season that I become aware once again of the traditions that have become important to me in my life. Over the years it has become a custom of mine to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television on Thanksgiving morning while my mom is getting the house ready for the family.

I have never watched the parade all the way through, and it is not really a tradition of my family's, but for some reason every year I feel the need to watch at least a portion of the parade. I suppose it is because it is something that I started watching as a child, so I have fond memories of viewing it every Thanksgiving.  

Whether you have traditions of large family gatherings with stuffing...

trying to beat the holiday rush on Black Friday...

working...

or enjoying some much needed rest...

enjoy whatever traditions you have because they sure do make for some fun and interesting memories!

Following my pursuits,

Price

Special thanks to:

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Google.com: http://www.google.com/

http://nikkigsblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/hard-worker.jpg

http://www.ionlinephilippines.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/08/sleepchairG060806_228x329.jpg

http://blog.mlive.com/news_impact/2008/11/large_black-friday-shoppers.jpg

Pursuit fifteen: Putting the pedal to the metal

Bicycles have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Although throughout the years I have not ridden on a consistent basis, I have always found my way back to riding. I remember the first time that I rode a bike without training wheels. I was in Nashville, Tennessee, without parental supervision, and I surprisingly made it down the driveway in one piece. Although the actual event is a bit blurry, I have always told myself that that was the first time I rode a bicycle without training wheels.

When I was between the ages of seven to ten (roughly) I had the coolest bike EVER! It was a youth mountain bike from Target. It had both hot pink and a cool mellow green on it. I had many great moments riding that bike with friends during the afternoons and summertime. Unfortunately... that bike met its demise after it was stolen out of my garage one evening.

My next bike was another wonderful purchase from Target. It was a hunter green color. Although I had many cruises on this ride during my preteen years and early teen years, it was during this period of my life that biking became "uncool". Around the age of 14 or 15, I remember thinking that riding bikes was for people who did not have their permit or license (haha). So, for a long span of time bike riding ceased for me.

However, two summers ago I started to have the itch to ride bikes again. I have always thought that beach cruisers were pretty neat bikes, so during the summer of 2009 I purchased a mint green beach cruiser from a California based company called Beach Bikes.

http://www.beachbikes.net/

Here is the model shot of my bike from the website

Here is my bike in real life parked in its garage (haha)

It also has a lovely bell on it (notice the mud marks from my "intense" cruising)

Getting this bike was a great decision. After my purchase, both of my parents wanted to join in on the biking bandwagon. My mom went and got a used 1970's Schwinn road bike, and my dad modified my old mountain bike with an "extra large" comfy seat.

Having this bike has made for some fun memories with my family, boyfriend, and with myself on my solo cruises. I have experienced flat tires miles from home, riding up hill on a one speed beach cruiser (interesting to say the least), having a bell that likes to ring on its own (makes for awkward glances from people passing by), and fun explorations around parts of town that I have never been through before.

I must say that I have not ridden my bike as much as I could lately, but riding is one pursuit that I am currently enjoying in this part of my life.

Here are some other types of bikes!

BMX bike

Unicycle (I suppose not officially a bicycle, but still cool)

Mountain bike

Recumbent Bicycle

Tandem bicycle

Road bike

Bicycle of the "future" (ooh!)

Interested to see how one might sit on this bicycle of the "future"

Bicycle of the future (love the mint blue/green color)

Which bicycle style are you?

Following my pursuits,

Price

Special thanks to:

Beach Bikes: http://www.beachbikes.net/

Pursuit fourteen: For the love of Lilly

The first time that I was introduced to the fashions of Lilly Pulitzer was during the summer after sixth grade. My family had gone to New Orleans, Louisiana to drop my brother off at his first year of college at Tulane University. While my dad and brother were out running errands of their own, my mom and I decided to go browse the shops of downtown NOLA. While looking around one of the shops I remember my mom coming upon a rack of clothes with bright colors and bold patterns. Having never heard of Lilly Pulitzer prior to this, my mom began to go on a spiel about how when she was in high school she worked at a store that sold Malia dresses (a brand that was very fashionable at the time in her opinion) and how they were very similar to the Lilly Pulitzer brand of clothing.

Vintage Malia maxi dress

Vintage Malia logo

On that first encounter with the Lilly Pulitzer brand, I came out with a patchwork printed skirt that I still own to this day. From that day on I was hooked to the Lilly Pulitzer brand. It is the only brand of clothing that I consistently check the website, Facebook page, or stores to see if they have any new lines of clothing out. While the actual price of the clothing is a bit steep, in recent years they have substantially reduced the prices of some of their pieces.

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/

I think the reason that I like the brand so much is that the clothes are bright and cheery. These clothes are one of the few material items that bring a smile to my face. They have unique prints that almost always bring up a conversation while out in public (sounds really cheesy). Presently, the Fall 2010 and Resort 2010 collections are out. Some of my favorite pieces of these two collections are below.

Gisele Dress

Sondra dress

Abella dress

Murfee Scarf- Booty caw

So whatever styles of clothing you like to rep, rep them hard (That is if you want to... haha)

Following my pursuits,

Price

Special thanks to:

Lilly Pulitzer website: http://www.lillypulitzer.com/page/home/

Lilly Pulitzer Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lillypulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer blog: http://blog.lillypulitzer.com/

Pursuit thirteen: A melody in my mind

Next Tuesday, November 16th, the boyfriend and I are going to the Punch Brothers concert at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, Tennessee. Newly acquainted with the band, I am highly looking forward to the concert. As of late I have also discovered that Steve Martin (actor, comedian, author) is also a musician. He plays the banjo, and is quite good! On Friday, November 5th Martin played with the Punch Brothers on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Below is a YouTube clip of their performance together on The Late Show! The song is entitled Rye Whisky, and is off the Punch Brothers latest album, Antifogmatic.

   

Chris Thile, the Punch Brothers founder has described the Antifogmatic album as, "intimate to boisterous and back; genre-wise". Released on June 10, 2010, the album consists of ten songs.

Punch Brothers- Antifogmatic album

On the band's website, Thile describes how they came upon the album name and what it means for this batch of music. Antifogmatic, Thile states, "is an old term for a bracing beverage, rum or whisky, that one would have in the morning before going out to work in the rough weather, to stave off any ill effects". Feeling that this word easily applied to the work in this album the name stuck. The Antifogmatic album is one that the Punch Brothers want their listeners to be able to sink their teeth into, help them make sense of all the various things happening to them in their lives, and to basically tell them everything is going to be okay.

On the other hand, every time I listen to Steve Martin's music it gives me the urge to get up and do a hoedown jig (haha).

Steve Martin's latest album entitled The Crow

Check out some other great performances by the Punch Brothers and Steve Martin at these links below!


In this second video, the Punch Brothers are performing a cover of Bach's 3rd Brandenburg Concerto.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RtVKJY0x1s

Steve Martin playing at the Grand Ole Opry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnr9xkJbfhY

In the end no matter what genre of music it is, I always have a melody in my mind.

Following my pursuits,

Price

Special thanks to:
The Punch Brothers' official website: http://www.punchbrothers.com/
Steve Martin's official website: http://www.stevemartin.com/