Monday, June 29, 2009

Day 180

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During the trip to Japan, I took some absolutely horrible photographs to try to feel more like a tourist. I think over the next few days I will unleash them upon you, dear reader(s?).

First I present to you, Nijo Castle, in Kyoto...photographed as though my mom was trying to figure out how to use the digital camera. Hey, at least it's not a video, right?


And by the way, I was GOING to use Vimeo to post this clip, but it required me to wait a fucking HOUR for this [literally] one and half second video clip. No exaggeration. 56 minutes.

(an after thought was to take a screen shot, so here it is a few minutes later, mocking me. there are times to push for me to upgrade, and there are times you just make me want to punch you in the junk with brass knuckles. all my love, cary.)


added the vimeo one for my own personal head-to-head quality testing.

erm..oops. from cary norton on Vimeo.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Day 179

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PoptpoP from Nijo Castle. I know its a poptpop and this is electric lion. Sending off Japan film tomorrow. (I recognize no one is complaining.)

Three Wishes on the way!
















Well, yesterday was not exactly what I was expecting to begin my first week of summer at home... We woke up to a flooded front yard! A pipe had broken and so hubby and I being very creative, fixed it!!! He did all the heavy work, what a great guy I married!

After all of the fun, I was able to settle down and work on my latest creation...Meet Jeannie, she is being stuffed in this photo. She is a beaded felt Jeannie with a bottle!

You will be able to see her tomorrow on my Etsy shop at www.mommylion.etsy.com
For all of you who want a peek, here she is!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Day 178

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Day 177

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Day 176

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Teacher of the Year











I just had to do a post about a wonderful woman. My daughters 2ND grade teacher Ms. C.W. She has the patience of a saint!! My Katie adored her.
As teachers we have to always remember the impact we can have on our students. We are the ones who make them want to come to school every day.

Ms. CW is one of those teachers, as were all of the teachers Katie has had so far...We are so lucky!!
She loves school and learning.
Here is a little doll we gave her to show her our thanks!

Thank you again!!! A wonderful summer wish to all teachers.
PS. I just listed one on my Etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27047694

Friday, June 26, 2009

Schools Out!!!





















It is finally Summer vacation for me!!! I think the end of the school year is the hardest for teachers. There is so much to get done to close out and the kids are so excited. I finished at my school last week. Then this week I had a textbook committee workshop. So today I am officially FREE!!!

I have been working on some paper doll necklaces. They are laminated with a heavy plastic coating to protect them. They are on a chiffon ribbon and they match my 'Dream Girl' dolls collection. Come check out my shop at www.mommylion.etsy.com

There is also a plush Jeannie in the making! Complete with her bottle. She will be on this week!
Happy Summer!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Day 175

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trying to catch up. i am uninspired by my japan stuff but i havent sent the film off yet so hopefully that will change. you know im broke when i havent sent the film off yet. well i did go see steph too at which point i finished a roll from japan in monroe. that roll may break my mind.

Day 174

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Day 172




I have been in Louisiana seeing Steph and her family and decided to actually not stress out the whole time i was here. I swept electric lion in there too, for good measure. We'll file that one under the "become a better person" rule of EL Mark II.

Anyway, thanks all the same to Winslow for calling me out and Bryan for making fun of me.

Regularly scheduled nonsense soon. Tomorrow I guess. I have a couple of maker-uppers, but they'll get done. I still need to send Japan film off. Thems the breaks of being broke as wile e coyote in the acme store. (especially if they have display models like Ikea. just sayin.)


Anyway, the above photo is Zack and his boy hanging out on the studio couch. This one may be my favorite.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Day 171

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I'm a Capricorn -- right on

Life Pursuit: To be proud of their achievements

Capricorn Secret Desire: to be admired by their family and friends and the world at large

The sign of the high roller, Capricorn is regarded as the zodiacs top, but also quiet, life and business achievers. But, there are two very different types of Capricorns.

The first is represented by the mountain goat, always climbing higher and higher; never content until reaching the top.

The second is the garden goat, with little adventurous spirit or ambition-happy to remain within a small domain, refusing to budge unless it is pushed.

Either type of Capricorn, however, is patient and persevering. They reach their goals because they know the longest journey commences with a single step and that the first step is always the most difficult.

The one thing a Capricorn must always try to do is balance work with play; otherwise they can become too one-sided and work can replace true personal emotional fulfilment. Continually climbing the eternal mountain of success, Capricornians rise to the occasion when faced with a new task or deadline. Even if something comes to a grinding halt, their ambition to reach the ultimate keeps them moving forever onwards and upwards (prompted by the strict influence of ruling planet Saturn). Although conservative and cautious, Goats are willing to try unusual approaches on their road to success in business or in love.

Romantically, they desire a permanent relationship with someone who'll give them the affection they crave (and often neglect to give themselves!)

The rulership of Saturn - the planet representing responsibility, structure and hard work - ensures that Capricorns in their truest of expression, are ambitious, practical and superb organizers. Although many Capricorns are borderline workaholics, this doesn't necessarily make them dull or gloomy! They have an offbeat sense of humour, which seems to erupt at the most unexpected moments. Their motivating force in life is success, money, status, authority and - although many might not admit it - love. By nature Capricorns are cautious when entering a new love relationship, but once they feel 'safe' with their partner, the cool exterior melts away to reveal a sensitive and loyal heart beneath. As a friend, Capricorns can be relied upon to provide the strongest and most sympathetic pair of shoulders in the zodiac...

from psychic guild

Friday, June 19, 2009

Jennifer Loeber





This series by Jennifer Loeber is pretty captivating. It's centered around a community of teenagers completely free from the rest of the world. "Nestled in the mountains of Massachusetts is Rowe Camp, a summer utopia self-governed by teens... Grounded in the ideals of a counter-cultural past and freed from the forced constraints of a conventional camp experience, Rowe empowers teenagers through otherwise impossible freedoms. It's a glimpse into what the world would be like if no ideas were too absurd, and eccentricity was the rule, not the exception."

You can view the rest of the series on her website.

Day 170

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Day 166

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Chip is pretty weird. Love it. There is no great way to explain exactly what is happening here so just take it at face value.







Incidentally, I over-shot the concert for some reason. Way too much. Oh well.

@ the Melting Pot in Birmingham



I don't believe I've ever been as stuffed as I was after that night.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Muses


surely, I have taken a million pictures of Jonathan by now.

Day 165

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So last night The Great Book of John played a most lovely show (supported by The White Oaks and Taylor Hollingsworth). Joining the band last night was Garret Kelly and Stewart Vann.

This is Taylor (Shaw) running through things backstage.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Day 163

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This is my buddy Zack's oldest child, Caleb, chillen out on the couch at the studio in Atlanta. I dropped by to hang out with Zack while in town en route to Japan and came packin'. The 4x5 that is. This is the first of several frames I like. (The ones that are still drying are my favorites)

I figure this is just about any kid in their current natural habitat (somewhere electronic).

Day 162

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Denny shooting another vending machine. I think this time it is a cigarette machine. In Kyoto.


Somewhere along the lines I thought I got way behind on EL but I guess I am on track.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Day 161

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random shot of denny.

Day 160

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Okay so here is a random snap from the subway. Nothing crazy. To make this post slightly more interesting, ill throw in some video.


Here is a lady in Hiroshima making okonomiyaki, aka japanese pizza. It is cabbage, sprouts, pork (bacon really), egg, pancake batter, sauce, etc. Here is the wiki.

woman in hiroshima making okonomiyaki from cary norton on Vimeo.



Here is my sister eating it.

nicole eating an okonomiyaki (japanese pizza) from cary norton on Vimeo.



And here is a random spider i recorded for steph. I shot it because it was having trouble climbing the rail. by the time i got to video the little guy he had succeeded.

spider for steph from cary norton on Vimeo.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Day 159

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today denny and i just stayed around kyoto (while my sister and denny's wife leigh went off to see some huge buddha) and shot photos all day. here is one i like. i cant wait to get all this stuff home and get the film processed and send off the 8mm.



anyone out there? anything happening? hello?

Day 158

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Denny shooting one of a gagillion vending machines in japan. this is at Himeji outside the castle (well down the hill). bunch of photos, no time really to post them, for now.

Thursday, June 4, 2009



an example of superior cake decorating skills from 2004.

Melissa & Jody



My good friend Melissa got married to my other good friend Jody the other weekend. I had the honor of being in the wedding party. It was so much fun to be there through it all, and especially to see everyone from college again. I want to go back in time!

here are my photos from the weekend

Day 156

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Kyoto last night. here a couple more nights i think maybe. then its wild card time.


good read about reps over at a photo editor.

and im about to update the hell out of poptpop i think.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Day 155

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old lady in takayama

in classic form i have things to say but am bad at writing them out. takayama was cool. a very traditional place in a similar sense of gatlinburg being traditional. only japan is old as crap and has a lot more awesome history and character to offer. no offense intended to the great smokey mountains. this place is really pretty though. i cant wait to get the 8mm back. i think ill shoot a tungsten roll today for no apparent reason.

we meet up with my buddy Denny and Leigh, his wife/friend-of-nicole, today in Kyoto. there is apparently a spa across the street. bring that mess on. last september eastern europe was amazing and we walked a million miles but somehow i am more sore this time. we still walk a million miles but we slept at a traditional place last night (ie on a mat on the floor) so it is compounded a bit.


also for lunch and dinner yesterday we had Hida beef. holy shit.

here is me cooking my own at the table at lunch. dinner we had a lot more and were a bit tipsy on whisky and sake, so it was even better.

(the video is in line to be processed, so itll eventually be here. url: http://www.vimeo.com/4991311 )

my dinner last night in takayama japan from cary norton on Vimeo.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Day 154

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all i can say is Best. Sushi. Ever.


i have a lot more to say i guess. for two random people not knowing much about tokyo, we sort of kicked its ass. surely if we'd had a local friend or something it could have maybe been better but really we killed it. i am completely sore in like 19 ways.

we leave for takayama tomorrow


ill give more later i guess. nic took a horrible(horribly great) photo of me today randomly with a japanese flag. blah. must sleep.

Day 153

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So this guy's job was to walk around the observation deck and clean up the grease left on the windows by people like me using them to help steady their photos. Gross.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Day 152

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so here is a Super cheesy view of the Tokyo Tower and the moon in the corner. im taking little crappy shots like this on my little crappy digital camera for posting to this little crappy weblog from my little crappy tiny laptop for the sake of updating when i can.