Frankenstein-ian..

Dreamin' 

Debrief...

Just finished the first two days in the lab with some successes and some surprises. Day one (or night one) I did my first real test with the camera and flash set up which was pretty interesting.  It's possible to track the moment my brain waves indicate that I am falling asleep and so at this point, the camera is triggered and the flash is fired. Now, here's the part I wasn't prepared for= it scared THE CRAP out of me. It woke me up which I suppose was good, but..yeesh. Phrases that come to mind are "Scared the living daylights" or the phrase I thought of all day yesterday which was, "It scared the Be'Jesus outta me!" Seriously. Those strobes almost blasted me into another dimension. I have not been so instantaneously alarmed in, well, I don't know if I ever have. It was a bit hard falling asleep after that as I had a major adrenaline rush. I did remember what I was dreaming though so that was good. I have to muck about with the system a bit because I want to try it again (something I wasn't so convinced of yesterday- it took awhile for the memory of that experience to fade), but I think it's worth  it even if it ends up being only a few pictures. Last night, being awakened by sound effects was a piece of cake in comparison and I slept like a baby. Today I'm feeling much better and not half as anxious as yesterday where I repeatedly had visions of the strobes surprising me throughout the day. Today- yoga, laundry and applications for exhibitions.

Morning musings

The view from bed.

Road photos etc.

A couple of pictures from the travel out east. Ford's Drive-In from Great Falls, Devil's Tower in Wyoming (more culturally appropriate title is Bear's Tipi or Bear's Lodge) and this creepy looking house from northern Ontario. It looks haunted to me! Off to the lab today to do more tests in preparation for the photos. 

Montreal

I made it to Montreal and so far- it's great. Here's a picture of the room I am renting for the next month and a bit. It's an amazing place and outfitted in the era it was built- perfect for a nostalgia freak like me!! It's also above this neat place that makes custom boots- I think I'm going to get a pair while I'm here. The only challenging bit is the creative parking scenario... This isn't Banff where parking is free. Minor details!

Meera Margaret Singh

Hey check out my friend Meera's new website!! A very talented lady I must say!

www.meeramargaretsingh.com

She also had an opening yesterday which I missed (sadly) but will check out when I get to Montreal either today or tomorrow!

Miles versus kilometers

How come miles take so much longer than kilometers? (Other than the obvious point that they are longer). At least this is my perception  because I am only in Minnesota right now- after 2.5 days of driving. hm.

Saw Devil's Tower this morning and people climbing up it- I wish I was climbing up it! It looked cool. I bought the book with the description of the routes... Another thing on the  list I guess.

I'm always happily surprised with how beautiful this country is. I mean, I know it's beautiful, but it's nice to be reminded. I've never been through this part before and was interested in all the history- Wounded Knee, the Black Hills, even the strangeness of Mount Rushmore (though I didn't drive to see it, the idea of carving a mountain out into heads always seems a bit bizarre- no offence). Many tunes later I am in Minnesota- hoping to make it to Canada tomorrow via the  Mackinaw bridge which I think is the way Lisa, Brent and I travelled in 1999. Maybe it won't be as windy.