Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Brown Couch 2009

Take 1



Take 2

Another fabulous brown couch. I have tons more pics to sort through - some of which didn't turn out great because I'm still getting used to my new lens!

It snowed like crazy, which was great for Death Mountain but not so great for driving. Randi, Neil and Bri were all thwarted by the nasty Michigan winter roads. And of course, we missed seeing our NYC and Hawaii people. We also added a new brown counch family - my friend Jen (from high school and the one to 'blame' for getting me addicted to flickr), her husband Blaine and daughter Wednesday.

Fun fun fun!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

aggie's quilt


aggie's quilt
Originally uploaded by heathre
Whew! My first quilt (ok technically a comfortor since i didn't actually quilt it) is complete and delivered to ms. aggie.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

rest in peace


300. rest in peace
Originally uploaded by heathre
One of my work colleagues - Rob - committed suicide this week. It was a huge shock to all of us. He worked with one of our programs on a part-time basis while in the PhD program at PSU. He moved to Colorado last year to work as a mediator with another company, but was contracted on one of our projects. He was in Portland working on the project when it happened.

I didn't know him really well but hung out with him at several work social gathering. We worked on some contracting and grants administration together - one particularly long and painful one - and he was so appreciative. He swore he would take me out for beers as a thank you, so one evening after work we hung out, grabbed some pizza and a beer and talked. He was such a vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic and engaged person. He was training for the Kona Ironman and was constantly looking for some new athletic exploit.

We also had a great chat at the xmas gathering a couple years ago about our Australian romances - he was engaged to an Australian women but things didn't work out. And this was around the time I was realizing Dave and I would not be able to stay together.

And I can only imagine how his girlfriend, parents and friends are feeling right now. My thoughts are with them as they try to cope with this loss. We learned he had struggled with severe depression for over 20 years. I hope he has found peace.

His friends set up a wonderful facebook page in his memory.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

288. India!


288. India!
Originally uploaded by heathre
My official fundraising pitch :)

Next March, I’m going to Bangalore India on a Women Build/Habitat for Humanity volunteer trip. Along with 100 other volunteers from around the globe, I’ll be working with Indian families to help build safe and affordable homes. The project kicks off on March 8th, which is International Women’s Day. We will be building in partnership with
rural and underprivileged Indian women who have formed microfinance self-help groups so that they can save money to build better lives for their families.

Most of you know that Women Build is a cause near and dear to my heart. Over the past five years, I’ve been volunteering at Portland Women Build alongside some truly amazing women. We have built four homes and most importantly, have helped four families reach their goal
of owning a safe, affordable home. I’ll be traveling to India with two other awesome Portland Women Build volunteers – Mel George and Katie Hughes. And of course, I’ll be bringing my camera and I’m really looking forward to documenting our journey and experiences.

Sounds fabulous, right? Here’s how you can help!

1) Donate online through my Habitat for Humanity Global Village webpage:
Heather's Women Build Trip Fund

I need to raise $1,950 for the trip fee, which covers my trip fees like food and lodging, but also includes a donation toward the IndiaBUILDS program. These donations will be paired will be paired with the savings of women’s self-help groups to help some of India’s poorest families gain better lives. And your donations are tax deductible!

2) Donate toward my airfare fund at my paypal site
Airfare will be around $1,700 – I’m still on the lookout for a great deal, but that’s a realistic figure.

At the risk of sounding like a bad infomercial, if you donate $50 or more, I will send you an 8x10 print of your choice! Here’s a link to some examples: prints for india

Please consider giving if you can. And if you can’t, all your good thoughts, positive energy and fund-raising tips are also greatly appreciated! (Or India travel tips!)

Take care,
Heather

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Destination: India, March 2010

I'm saving my pennies for my trip to India in March 2010. I'm going on a Women Build/Habitat for Humanity trip to Bangalore. I'll spend two weeks building houses and working with local families and women's groups.

If you have any filthy rich friends who would love to donate, check out my trip: webpage

I'm going to try to resurrect the blog to help with my fundraising and other fun stuff. Is anyone still out there reading after my long summer's nap??

Monday, April 27, 2009

presents instead of presence


116. friendship
Originally uploaded by heathre
Nan sent us the most amazing present. They arrived on Saturday - perfect timing. Jenny and I wished *so* much she could have been with us for the weekend, but she was definitely there in spirit.

love you nan!!

(*i totally stole her blog post title :)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

114. roomies forevah!!!


114. roomies forevah!!!
Originally uploaded by heathre
guest blog post #2:

i want to frame this picture from friday (see guest blog post #1). maybe not quite halfway through life just yet, but now we've known each other for more than half our lives already! and i love i can't count how many laughs we've shared, or how many tears, or measure how big my heart has grown to embrace the world because of our friendship and the many others in our posse. maybe it will be the size of the moon before too long...

love you!!! xoxoxo --sunnywave

115. brian and jenny frolicking in the flower petals

i am guest blogging on _more adventurous_ this amazing picture that heathy took of us. this has been the best visit ever--a lot of rest and relaxation and soaking up the great vibes of friendship forged over upteen years and years and years. i asked heath if i could post these pictures, so that eighteen years from now we can think: oh, we were so young then, so full of laughter, having such a great time.

portland in the spring is beautiful as seen here, but it makes me giggle to think how many more springs will go by and we will still be walking underneath the vibrant sky, maybe humming some cheesy 80's ballad, and cracking ourselves up that we used the word 'bogue'.

Friday, April 10, 2009

thank you!


100. thank you
Originally uploaded by heathre
Last Thursday, I finished my 365. On Wednesday, I received an amazing and thoughtful gift. My friend Cora created a book of all my 365 photos with dedications from my friends and family.

I am incredibly lucky to have such a truly supportive group of friends and family. Only one of them is a flickrite and the rest were extremely tolerant and truly embraced the project with me - with only the occasional eye roll as I ran off to take a picture of myself at social gatherings, family outings, at work, on date nights, etc.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such wonderful friends. I can't express how much this gift and your love means to me.

Here are the dedications in the front of the book from this fabulous group of friends and my awesome mom and dad.

-To Heathre: my inspiration, partner, encourager and sister..Thank You! Nan
-Loved watching you develop your artistry. Love, Mom and Dad
-My world looks so much better through your lens. Love, Bruce
-I love the world captured through your eyes. Congratuations! Love!! - Jenny
-My dear photographer to the starts: you are one! Sarah
-Our dear photographer heather: what a wonderful job you have done! we're proud of you! - maralea and sid
-365 shots of wigs, masks, socks and just enough Heather. Thanks for sharing. Love, Jason and Cora
-Congrats on taking your creativity to an entirely new level. Well done, my friend. - Mel
-For your unwavering eye, we love you. - Emily, Hillel and Hannah
-You inspire me with your talent and dedication. Love, Carmen
-Congratulations on 365 days of fabulous you! XO, Tracy
-Love, Brittany
-Love, Kim & Brad

(From my flickr post today: day 100 of 2009 - i'm doing a 'year in pictures' now that my 365 self-portrait project is done. one picture - anything - every day. a little more relaxed than the 365 :)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Done!


365/365
Originally uploaded by heathre
Day 365. Wow. One self-portrait, every day, for an entire year.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Step on a crack....


Step on a crack....
Originally uploaded by heathre
Maggie has been visiting for the last week and we have had a blast. She even volunteered to help with one of my photos :) I'm nearing the end of my 365; today is Day 318 (i think!)

This shot was for Friday the 13th - the theme of one of my groups was "Superstitions" so how could I resist doing the "Step on a crack, break your mother's back"??

However, my karma is coming back to haunt me because I somehow managed to tweak out my back this weekend. I believe it was during cosmic bowling for Kim's birthday on Friday. So I'm headed to the chiropractor tomorrow after Maggie flies home....

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Happy Inauguration Day!

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the
trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as
well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this
transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words
have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still
waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst
gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has
carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high
office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals
of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation
is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our
economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility
on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard
choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost;
jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our
schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the
ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.
Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across
our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and
that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are
serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short
span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of
purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and
false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far
too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has
come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our
enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that
precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to
generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free,
and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that
greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never
been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or
seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but
more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us
up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled
across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the
lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg;
Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked
till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They
saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;
greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous,
powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when
this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and
services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last
year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat,
of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -
that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves
up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the
economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only
to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will
build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that
feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's
quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and
the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new
age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who
suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their
memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has
already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is
joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted
beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed
us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not
whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -
whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can
afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we
intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And
those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -
to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light
of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a
people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good
or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched,
but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the
market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long
when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has
always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product,
but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend
opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because
it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our
safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can
scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the
rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those
ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for
expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are
watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where
my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,
and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not
just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring
convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us,
nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our
power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the
justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering
qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once
more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -
even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will
begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned
peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of
a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will
we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims
by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that
our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us,
and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and
non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from
every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill
of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter
stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon
dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a
new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual
interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who
seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know
that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you
destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and
the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of
history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench
your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make
your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved
bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that
enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's
resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we
must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with
humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us
today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through
the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our
liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness
to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this
moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this
spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the
faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation
relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees
break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours
than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest
hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with
smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that
finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may
be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work
and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They
have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is
demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now
is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every
American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,
duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so
defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on
us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women
and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration
across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than
sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can
now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we
have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of
months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the
shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was
advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the
outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation
ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,
when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the
country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our
hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,
let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may
come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were
tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back
nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace
upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it
safely to future generations.

President Barack Obama

Monday, January 19, 2009

This land was made for you and me...


sunday
Originally uploaded by heathre
I was listening to the "we are one" inauguration concert on npr in the car while waiting to pick up my dad. Pete Seeger singing - along with thousands of others - "This Land Was Made For You and Me". For a moment, I felt like I was a kid again, singing that song in school, completely oblivious to politics. It was lovely :)

(bruce linked to the video on his blog: http://www.hesaidwhatagain.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Happy New Year!


cheers!
Originally uploaded by heathre
I'm finally recovered from my trip back to Portland. I flew through Houston but got hit with a 2 hour delay there (because the plane was late coming from - guess where? Newark!). I arrived home at 3 am New Year's eve morning. And then I had to prepare for my New Year's party!

I've posted pics from Xmas and New Years on my picasa account. The link is right over there =================================>

(OK, I'll make it easy for you :)
http://picasaweb.google.com/hbinns

Hope you all had a wonderful New Years! I might be back to post some resolutions...we will see.