Posted on November 5, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

HURRAY!

Ok, if you haven’t figured it out, I’m a bit of a liberal.  So tonight was so sweet!!  After 2 bitter defeats (which we won’t speak of.  Still a little bitter.) I finally got a winner!!  Obama’s speech was amazing!  I truly hope this country can start to work together to heal the wounds that have been such a problem in this new millennium.  I have had the hardest time understanding the messages of hate and intolerance that seem to have spread across the country, and it looks like there are a lot of people who agree.  

I must say, I think McCain was the best candidate the Republicans had to offer (and he has been since the 2000 election.  I can’t imagine how much better off we would be if he had won the nomination over Bush way back when).  He really has been one to work across party lines.  That’s why I’ve been so disappointed in the last few months of his campaign.  I really think that McCain lost not only because Obama is amazing and the more qualified candidate, but because he lost focus on who he is and why people liked him.  He lost his sense of self in a desperate grab for the White House.  He wanted to win badly enough to sell out, and it just came off as false.  So what do we learn here?  Be true to yourself, because we can all spot a poser, and nobody likes a poser.  

But I do think McCain’s speech was beautiful.  It was a speech of reconciliation.  An offer to work across party lines as he has done in the past, and a call to his supporters to put away their disappointment and ignore the hate-filled words of so many ignoramuses who are the reason we are in such dire straights.  He asked us to work together, and I’m all for it!  I said years ago that it if McCain won the nomination, he would be a hard one not to vote for.  Sarah Palin (and the scariness of the “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” mentality of so many high ranking party members and party pundits.  Can we say Big Brother?) sealed that one.  

I’m just so excited!  Today is our first day to start mending those bridges and roll up our sleeves and get to work fixing this mess!  So let’s work together and make this country the great place we know it can be.  And please, stop discriminating against people.  With all the joy of the Presidential election, I was so saddened to see the number of discriminatory ballot measures out there.  Of course, as I learned in Ishmael, there is no ONE right way for people to live.  But like the saying goes, “Can’t we all just get along?” 

I will admit, I’m probably going to be a bit giddy for the rest of the week (after all, I wore black until I ran out of black clothes last time.  I do get into this stuff), but I’ll try not to rub it in to the 63% disappointed Tennesseans I see.  Hey, Fulmer’s leaving.  There’s something to be happy about, right?  (I don’t really know.  I don’t watch a lot of football.  “They” just told me it was a good thing.)

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Posted on November 4, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Happy Election Day!!

So apparently most people in Knoxville voted early.  We got to our polling place just before noon and voted within 15 minutes.  I very much disliked the way the vote summary was laid out.  It spent most of the line saying “vote cast for” or something like that, and then just the first 3 letters of the first name (I assume) of your choice.  I went back to double check which unchecked my vote leaving it at “none selected” which was NOT what I wanted!!  My stomach dropped for a minute, but then I fixed it.  I can only assume I didn’t vote for Bob Barr.

Nathan took a bit longer (but he started after me).  The lady in charge of the line said there was a pretty good turn out this morning and they’ve only had 5 minutes without people in the booths.  Not quite like stories we’ve heard elsewhere, but there was another polling place across the street, so apparently Knox County is covered in options.  I did notice a lack of Obama signs out front with the rest of the candidates, so I pulled an extra one out of my car and put it up before we left.  There was a man who brought his two young daughters to the polls which was cool.  I have to admit, I was a bit bummed to see them taking pictures with the McCain sign out front, but at least he’s getting them interested in participating.  If we all agreed, there would be no point in voting anyway.  So I’m willing to let them have their opinions (wrong as they may be 😉 ).  I’m very magnanimous, yes?  😉

In about an hour, we’re going to my friend Devon’s house to watch the results.  John (of John & Megan) has invited us to join him as well, so we may split the evening if it’s a late one.  Boy do I hope we’re done by 9!  Of course, that’s just 6 in Pacific Time, so we’d have to have every state going the same way to get done so early.  Now that would be a mandate.  🙂

A friend posted this blog on his facebook, so I thought I’d share.  http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/eastside93/2008/11/i-didnt-vote-for-obama-today.php

I have to admit, I teared up.  We are voting for our future.  We do every time we go to the polls. I met some very embittered people while canvasing who seem to believe their vote doesn’t count.  I have to believe mine does.  If it didn’t, why am I living here?  I did meet an adorable, old lady who early voted and was very proud of it.  She was not amused by the Republicans and sent her mail in ballot in the day after she received it so she wouldn’t forget.  I hope I’m still that hopeful in the system when I get to be her age.  Anyway, whoever you supported today and in the months leading up to tonight, keep the faith.  There is a system for a reason.  Sure, sometimes it needs a little tweaking and sometimes people find ways to abuse it.  But it’s worked for the last 200 years.  Hell, I know many people who were shocked that we didn’t have armed revolt after the 2000 election debacle.  Just be sure your voice is heard, but please not in a way that silences dissent.  We need someone to disagree with us, or we get complacent, and that is the biggest threat to our country.

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Posted on November 4, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Laura & Walker

So I photographed Laura & Walker 2 years ago in Atlanta. They are so sweet. I thought it might be nice to post a few photos since I didn’t have a blog way back then. A few tidbits about their wedding. The ceremony was at Our Lady of the Assumption and the reception was at the Buckhead Club (who also catered). Tulip did the flowers (and did a fabulous job, as always!) Tom Russo with Spectrum Entertainment kept the party rockin’! Laura’s dress was by Maggie Sottero and the tuxes were from After Hours Formalwear.

Here are a few pages from their album:

They have the cutest little girl now. Happy Anniversary, guys! 🙂

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Posted on November 3, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

The Sex Lives of Cannibals

My book club alternates between serious non-fiction like The Omnivore’s Dilemma, serious fiction like Ishmael, and totally silly and fun books like The Sex Lives of Cannibals.  I generally suggest the serious books, but I really enjoyed this one.  I enjoyed our last fun book Eat, Pray, Love which several people thought was sad, but I found incredibly uplifting and inspiring.  What am I learning?  I should read more fun books. The Sex Lives of Cannibals is hilarious!  I picked it up at McKay’s the other day along with a fabulous pile of free books and some not free books.  We proudly sauntered (as best you can saunter in a 2000 Camry) home where I immediately began finding homes for our new treasures (including a 1941 copy of Emily Post’s etiquette book.  Don’t tell my mom.  I just bought it because I thought it was fun–and free (so I guess “bought” isn’t the appropriate verb here).  I’m not so good at the etiquette thing.  Although I don’t think I would make a total ass of myself at dinner with the Queen.  I do know which fork to use and to never put my napkin back on the table.)  I also immediately got fussed at for “hiding” all of the new books (which I turned sideways so they would be easy to find, thank you very much).  After retrieving several books (i.e. taking them completely out of order in the middle of the “home-finding” process), Nathan settled in with one of his books on the end of the couch next to the lamp.  

Allow me to digress for the moment…  We (or I should say I) are a very cheap household.  I refuse to turn on the heat until it is unbearably cold in the house.  I get vetoed more quickly in the summer with the A/C.  We have little plug in oil heaters (not the kind the you put kerosene in, but the kind that have oil in them and they heat up and make a toasty room.  They look kind of like radiators on wheels.)  So, our house is a bit chilly.  Except for Nathan’s office which is unbearably hot during the summer while we figure out a way to vent the heat from his computer set up.  I don’t think the afternoon sun beating down through the window helps either.  We don’t really use the heaters much.  Instead we dive into our stockpile of blankets (there are a lot of them) and bundle up.  Or just hide out in Nathan’s office which is the most comfortable room in the house at the moment.  Also, socks are a good thing.  I should learn to knit them…

Ok, back to the story…  Nathan was all cozied up on the couch with Alfred (our very stinky dog who desperately needs a bath but hates them.  Plus it’s too cold for baths, and he’s not amused by the hair dryer.) with a blanket up around his chin and his book in his lap.  He may have had some hot tea, I’m not certain.

Another quick digression.  Nathan has been even more into serious books than I have lately.  Everything he reads is some step on his spirit journey.  No silly fiction for my man!

Back to Nathan on the couch (again).  I come trouncing down the stairs, book in hand, looking for a warm spot to read.  Spying Nathan (my personal heating element) and Alfred (foot warmer extraordinaire) so conveniently cozied up with a blanket, I immediately wedged my butt in there and tucked my feet under the dog, and the rest of me up against Nathan.  I figured he didn’t need to move his arms more than a page turn.  After a bit of wriggling, everyone was all settled in.  I cracked my book and began to read.  That’s when the real trouble started.  It had been nice and silent down there.  A really great place to sit and enjoy a serious book.  But no more.  The Sex Lives of Cannibals may be the funniest book ever written (although there are some parts that made me sad, but Maarten Troost tells them in a funny way).  I had barely read a paragraph before the uncontrollable snort, snuffle laughs started.  I was trying so hard to be quiet!  Alas, I am no match for Maarten Troost.  I paused as Nathan cut his eyes down at me.  I attempted to regain my composure.  And then I read another sentence and it was over.  

Luckily Nathan is a very adaptable man.  He has learned to deal with me talking to the T.V. and the way I am able to smack cereal just right so it sounds like I’m sitting on his shoulder, smacking in his ear.  He quickly learned to read his serious book with me snuffle guffawing to his immediate right.

That seems a pretty abrupt end to the story.  We sat and read until someone got hungry.  Then we ate.  Then I think we read some more and went to bed.  Our lives are very exciting.  If you’re interested in learning more about the books our book club is reading, check out my goodreads.com page.  I always put the books I’m reading (which includes the book club books) up there.  Sometimes I write a review.  I also have a virtual book shelf on facebook, but I’ve switched over to goodreads and don’t know if I can combine the two.  I certainly don’t feel like redoing anything.  That’s perfectly good reading time!

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Posted on November 2, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Wedding Trivia

As a wedding professional, I come across all kinds of neat wedding facts.  People often wonder things like, why do we wear wedding rings on our left “ring finger” and why do the bride and groom not see each other before the wedding.  Well, I’m going to try to clear up some wedding myths while sharing the interesting stories I have learned as a wedding photographer.  Feel free to add any tidbits you have come across as well!

Today we’re talking about wedding rings and why we wear them where we do.

While most couples I photograph wear their wedding ring on their left ring finger (myself and my husband included), there are several traditions where the ring is worn on the right hand.  As far as I know, the left hand tradition stems from the idea that the left hand is closer to the heart.  Also, it was believed that a vein led directly from your third (or fourth if you count the thumb) finger of your left hand to your heart.  In the Greek Orthodox weddings I have photographed, the right hand tradition stems from the idea that Christ is the right hand of God.

I’ve attached a few links with some outside information on wedding ring traditions below.

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

http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/rings.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1005121204048

Feel free to leave your comments about this topic or with other wedding traditions you’ve always wondered about.

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Posted on November 2, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Buy my stuff for Charity! (take 2)

I have two auctions coming up.  The VSA auction is for fine art prints.  The Montessori Middle School auction is for a portrait sitting (which includes a $100 print credit).  A bit about the Montessori Middle School.  They will serve students in grades 6-8 in a hands-on learning environment.  To learn more, visit their website  www.montessorimiddle.org.  To bid on items in their on line auction, or to donate items, go here: http://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=73666279&ctemail=ndeburton1@hotmail.com&ctmid=74847275.  Their auction is from November 10-December 7.  I know they are also currently enrolling students for next year.  If you know of anyone looking for a great private school, this is a great one!

My friend Bailey Earith with Bailey Fiber Art and I have several items up for auction to support the VSA.   The VSA supports artists with disabilities and brings art opportunities to special ed classrooms.  See items #59-75.  http://news.vsaartstennessee.org/2008/10/auction.html is where you go to bid.  Now the only trick is that they aren’t able to post photos on their site, so they asked me to post images of my auction items on my own site.  They have the links for my work and Bailey’s listed, but here are active links for you to click.  To see Rebecca Claire Photography’s auction items or Bailey Fiber Art’s auction items.  This is a great group, and to learn more about the VSA visit their website  http://vsaartstennessee.org/index.htm.  Bidding is open until midnight on the 14th, which as we all know, is going to sneak up on us.  This is their first ever on line auction, so please help support this great arts program!

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Posted on November 2, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

California Proposition 8

As a wedding professional, I don’t see how it would be a good business move to support banning marriage between two consenting adults.  However, I have seen several wedding websites which do so (these are the advertising sites where vendors like myself can pay for a listing so that brides can find and hopefully hire us).  Really, guys, why are we limiting our market?  I’m not even talking about the fact that it wasn’t that long ago that mixed race marriage was illegal in many places.  I’m not talking about my personal stance as a person with gay friends (or even if I had none.  As a person who found her one true love and would be crushed if someone told me we couldn’t be together and our love didn’t really count).  I’m talking straight business (no pun intended).  I know several photographers in town who are not comfortable with the idea of photographing a gay wedding.  GREAT!  I’ll do it!  Love is love.

On a personal note.  I think love is wonderful.  I was so excited to declare my love for Nathan in front of my family and friends.  It’s been a real boon to share health insurance, auto insurance, all of our rates went down, and I know if either of us is in the hospital, the other one has every right to make decisions and stay together through whatever life may throw our way.  In this day of high divorce rates, even the sanctity of straight marriage seems questionable.  Why deny a whole group the chance to solidify their love legally?  Let them prove to the world that their love is just as strong as the love between two people of opposite gender and deserves the same rights and privileges that have been enjoyed (and in some cases abused) by straight couples.

Getting off my soapbox now.  But seriously, I will photograph GLBT weddings.  I think it would be just as much fun as shooting a straight wedding.  Maybe more so because I would know the couple had to fight for their right to marry, so it would mean just that much more to them.  I’d probably cry.  🙂

UPDATE: We live in the Dark Ages, but delightfully, we have funny videos to raise our spirits.

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Posted on November 1, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Butterfly Garden

One really cool thing about having your wedding at the Nature Museum in Chicago, is that your guests can go in the Butterfly Garden during the cocktail hour. The garden is really cool, with big window walls that reminded me of the climatron in the St. Louis Botanical Garden. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the Butterfly Garden.

To view more, simply check out my fine art page.

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Posted on October 31, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Where have all the trick-or-treaters gone?

It’s just past 7:30, and the street is empty!  This is almost as bad as Atlanta.  I went and bought way too much candy, and I don’t want to eat it.  Here is what I got:

Lady bug

Boba Fett

Tinker Bell

Little Mermaid

Fairy & NY Giant

Superman

And 2 kids dressed up as kids

That’s not enough to eat all of my candy!  Here I am, all dressed up as Class of 96, and no one is here to admire.  Hopefully Sarah gets here soon.  I think we’re going to Maryville to watch a friend’s band.  Until then, I guess I’ll just knit and read.  Sign.  Halloween just isn’t what it used to be.

UPDATE!  I just got a white ninja and Hannah Montana!  Yay!  I told them to each take a handful.  Candy is for sharing!

Blue (from Blue’s Clues) and a Ninja Turtle just stopped by.  I said a handful and Ninja Turtle decided that meant one for each hand.  Blue wanted to pick his handful.  I want this candy gone!  🙂

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Posted on October 30, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Aidan’s baby pics

I photographed Susan & John’s wedding back in 2004.  They are an awesome couple.  I was so excited when Susan emailed me earlier this year to tell me that they were pregnant!  We did maternity portraits earlier in the summer, and then it became a waiting game.  Well, the wait is over.  Aidan is just adorable!  I posted his pictures a while ago.  I hate for other folks to get to see the photos before my clients do.  So, here he is.  What a cutie!

He looks a lot like Susan from this angle.

Tiny feet!  I love tiny feet!

This was just after a good tummy tickle.

It looks like I snuck up on him.

This one is such an “I love my mom” moment.  He just stars at Susan.  Oh, what a cutie!


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