The Update

On the Green Front:

• I'm stopping water delivery from Arrowhead Water and going to this Pur Water Filtration/Dispenser that uses safer plastic (although, ugh...it seems so hard to get away from plastic entirely!)
• I've been reading a lot about scratch cooking and homemade cleaning products and I'm getting ready to dive in sometime this month
• I've joined the local Freecyclers in my area, which is how I acquired the Pur water system I'm going to be using. Free and recycled - very cool!
• I've been using and have fallen in love with Lush's Karma Komba shampoo bar. No plastic bottle, smells lovely (and not too hippie at all) and seems like it's going to last me at least 3-4 months. Eventually, I may go SLS free, but for now, this stuff is great!

I have read much recently about people who have gone what is called the no-poo method, but I have to say, I'm not quite there yet. In the process of educating myself I've come to realize that there is so much to learn and so many resources out there, but I haven't yet found The One Resource To Rule Them All. So, I'm slowly gathering up information and figuring out where I stand and what I believe will be the best way for me to live green.

On the photography front:

I've been spending so much time reading about eco-friendly living and doing homework for a QuickBooks class I'm taking online that I have let my photography reading fall to the wayside a bit. I feel pulled in a million different directions when it comes to what I want to read and study. I am determined to finish up my BA in the next two semesters which means I must resist the urge to take classes that will not help me do that (like photography, Spanish, QuickBooks, etc.)

On the health front:

Last week I was hit with a 3+ day stomach bug that was the worst I can remember having in a long, long time. Of course, I promptly infected my husband. We're both feeling better and looking forward to getting back to the gym once were all healthy and a little more chipper around here!

Low light highlights

I've just ordered the new Nikon 35mm prime lens and I can't wait to get it. I need a lens for low light and portraits and this one will auto-focus with my D40. The lens in back ordered pretty much everywhere, but should be back in stock any day now. The reviews are mixed; some people are trading in their 50mm for good, others are sticking with it. Since the 50mm only works manually on my camera, I will no doubt keep it. I'll be using it at a friend's wedding reception on the 17th. I'm geeking out!

I'll shoot you

I've been interested in photography for a long time. I really enjoy beautiful photographs, and with the advent of digital cameras a whole new world has opened up...for a whole new population of people. I've been playing around with different dSLR cameras lately, and finally purchased the Nikon D40. I loved the more expensive and HD-video making Nikon D90, but it just wasn't in the budget. So the D40 and I are getting to know each other this week.

This is my first official step towards semi-professional photography. I will be second shooting a friend's wedding in five weeks and I'm devouring all the information I can get my hands on regarding technique and tips. I'm enrolled in an introductory class that starts in a few weeks as well.

When I hold that camera in my hand and capture a really great shot, it feels like art...and that has always been addicting to me.