Frozen

Frozen, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

Man have I been a BAD blogger ... I guess I should be thankful that it means I have been living life offline, but I miss blogging.  I think a lot of my problem is that I'm not getting out and taking photos either ... must do better.  Must.

LesMis ... wow!

Have you seen Les Miserables the Movie yet?  I finally made my way to the theater tonight and WOW, WOW, WOW!  That was just outstanding!  The actors were amazing (well didn't loooove Russell Crow), voices amazing, set design amazing.  Everything.  Amazing!  It's so true to the theater production that I wanted to stand up and clap after the first act.  I felt like I was seeing the most amazing theater production, really.  Cannot say how much I loved this movie!

benji

It's no secret that I am a sports fan ... college basketball most specifically.  I have been taking in some of the ESPN 30 on 30 films and really loving them.  Yesterday I saw the film on Ben Wilson, a potential NBA star from a local Chicago high school, and was completely touched on so many levels.  The strength of his mother.  The emotions his teammates have all these years after his death.  The outpouring of support from all of Chicagoland...

But what gets me the most is how unbelievable it is that we have not grown and learned from his story.  Benji's story could be on the news today, some thirty years later.  Chicago is on record for the most murders in 2012 at 499!  And I cannot help but remember the line that the kid who killed Benji said his grandfather told him "if you show your gun, you better use it."  What?  I mean, what?  And people don't think we should have gun laws and restrictions in the United States.... Every high school kid  should be required to watch this film.  Period!

Hot chocolate at Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate at Hot Chocolate, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

FINALLY! I frequently dine at Mindy's Hot Chocolate in Bucktown, and for some crazy reason I have never had the hot chocolate! What the heck is wrong with me? Anyway ... today I finally had some of their hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows and have to say it completely lives up to the hype. I got the dark - 72% rich dark french chocolate - and also got a taste of the candy cane, both were perfect! Simply perfect! I even picked up some of their mix and marshmallows for home!

look up

, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

This is what I do while waiting for my colleagues for meetings in the city. I'm a punctual girl ... can't stand being late. And on the rare occasion that it does happen, I make sure to let those that might be expecting me know... Anyway, to pass the time I wonder the city streets, just looking up. I don't think I will ever tire of Chicago architecture.

Side note:  Very excited to see Teitur on Wednesday!!

happy new year

Happy New Year!  2013 is off to a pretty good start for me!  Let's hope it keeps up that way!

I spotted this grouping of trees a few days ago and had to go back with the camera before the weather changed how they look.  They are kind of tucked back behind a bunch of houses, you'd never know they were there if you didn't get a peek at just the right moment while driving.  Loved how they looked with the snow.

365 : it's a wrap!

I am very happy that my photo a day challenge is now over.  I certainly lost steam as the year went on - did very well through July, where I missed my first photo.  I had some crazy idea that doing this challenge would somehow better my photography ... that didn't really work because I decided to keep it all iPhone.  I love my iPhone.  I love taking photos with my iPhone, but does it make me a better photographer - nope.  I need to make it a point to pick up the DSLR!

That said .. what I do like about the iPhone 365 is that it's a visual journal of what happened throughout my year.  So here is my Flickr 365 set from 2012.  The good, the bad and everything in between.

5

5, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

I have been taking my 365 photos but got behind posting them ... since I am only a few days away from the end I am just going to finish out the set over on Flickr.

I have to say, it's a lot harder to take a photo per day than I thought it would be - even with my iPhone. I ended up with 355 of 365 and I figure that's not at all bad. I give mad props to people who can get through the 365 selfies!

kiss by a rose

Have you ever applied your blush with a rose?  Bella may be onto something here ..

 

snow!

snow branch, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

It was so great to wake up Christmas morning to snow. Is it silly that I still get a little excited when that happens? It was just a dusting, but in the last couple of days we've gotten a few more inches - that really wet variety that sticks to trees and bushes and that looks super pretty. { love }