Did you miss me?

Apologies to anyone who was hanging out to see my General Lee cake last week. (It possibly wasn't worth the wait - it looks like a taxi, but Cody loved it.) I clearly remembered telling myself that large sheets if fondant was a very bad idea when I made the Ninjago cake, but unfortunately, I didn't remember that until I was attempting to cover the Dodge (taxi) with a large sheet of fondant that continually tore. I'm writing it here for future reference... 

Cherie, you are not Yolanda Gamp. Step away from the fondant!

Last week was rather turbulent in my little world (hence the missed blog), and this week has also been throwing things at me, but I have new direction for next week, so here's hoping that we ease into the transition smoothly. New jobs, new weekly routine and more training on the horizon are a bit exciting, so we're staying positive.

A quick trip to Brisbane for Cody's surgery ("Adenoids, grommets and a haircut," as he was often told by staff who were soundly on my side of the Mullet fence) gave me the opportunity to be talked at by an over-sharing Uber Driver who failed to read his audience, partake of some "Fruit Toast" that tasted like warm play dough with dates in it, and also listen to Kitty Flanagan's new book More Rules for Life. I believe that I previously mentioned that I opt for audiobooks so that someone else can hold the book and read to me while I do other things, so I was stoked to see that Borrow Box had this title (finally). It's only two hours long though (sign), so I listened to it twice. My favourite rule in this volume is Rule #565 Stop devaluing words. While I don't vehemently agree with each and every rule this one is no joke. There was no chuckling at this explanation, just an emphatic "YES!", enthusiastic nodding and a 'finally someone gets it' expression. Kitty (I can call her Kitty because I have listened to all three of her books) is invited to my 'People You Would Like to Have Dinner With' Dinner Party (that's only a working title, give me time to finesse it). I feel that we would have LOTS to talk about. Bridge burning, for instance...  (Have you read Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies?)

Speaking of bridges, my brother is off to Tasmania this weekend to be part of a new reality TV show. He and eleven strangers are tasked with the job of building a bridge of some sort to do something and the last man standing walks away with $250,000. I'm a bit unclear on the whittling down process from 12 to one. Actually, the only things I know are Bridge and $250,000, so we'll all have to watch to find out what it's all about. Paramount + subscription coming up. At least I'll be able to watch 1883 as well. Don't tell me what happens though!

Since I missed a week you get to see two 52Frames entries this week. Depth of Field and Unexplored. When I began this challenge I was looking forward to thinking outside the box, stretching my skills and creating images of different genres (is that the right word in this context? I'm sure you get what I mean, something different to Cutting horses). What I found was that the topics seem more challenging than I anticipated, and I am stumped for an idea each week. I guess that means it is serving its purpose.

Week 6 was Depth of Field, with the Extra Challenge being f1.4. I pulled out the trusty 50mm f1.4 (his name is Leroy) and snapped (yes, I snapped, no elaborate set up) a shot of the inside of the cool room filled with Valentine's Day flowers. I don't often work with a low f number anywhere except low light, so this was a nice reminder of the lovely effect a blurred background can create.

Week 7 was Unexplored, and immediately my mind went to unexplored places... none of which were easily accessible by me in order to photograph. Maybe one day I'll get to travel somewhere "unexplored".

I'm working The Rule of Thirds this week and compiling my guest list for the previously mentioned Dinner Party. Do you think I have to cap it at a certain number? What am I saying? It's my imaginary dinner party. I'll do what I like!

It's been quite a party, ain't it

Purple Fairy