WordLess Wednesdays-Pure Unconditional Love...

My Photography Rant Of The Day 1

I was trolling through Facebook when I came across a post that read-
"As a photographer, the term I've seen a LOT of these past few months is "fauxtographer." When I was in high school, I was on the swim team. At every single practice, my coach who I still love, DRILLED me like crazy. After EVERY workout, he'd give me something to concentrate on. I'd concentrate on that, and forget something else. Then he'd go back. It was a constant back and forth battle on my form in the water over a multitude of strokes. Was I a fauxswimmer? NO! I went on to set the school record, won counties, placed 2nd in conference, and swim regionals. I have a blog coming in 2012 about fauxtography. STOP USING IT & just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming swimming!" 

So I ( who was a swimmer in H/S myself) was naturally drawn to it and began reading the comments underneath it...And I was, to say the least, annoyed. I have always thought of photography as an art form and not a business. I have never claimed to  be a professional, ie my Facebook fan page is listed as "Artist." But I completely disagree with the way these so called professionals treat others who do photography. Everyone starts somewhere. And they were beginners once too. Who the heck do these people think they are?! Those jackasses that use descriptions for artists who are new to the wonderful world of photography such as "FAUXTOGRAPHERS" or saying stupid stuff like "Owning a DSLR doesn't make you a photographer...It makes you a DSLR owner." jus make them haters. And actually a photographer is exactly what it makes you. Anyone who takes pictures, regardless of the equipment or settings, ARE photographers. 

Photography is an art form and a very wonderful tool for self expression. Just because someone doesn't choose to do things the same way you do it with their own art doesn't make them a fraud, it makes them unique and interesting. So my response to these Haters was-"Having a camera may not make someone a photographer in some people's mind, but it DOES make them an artist! Everyone starts somewhere and I wonder why this so called business has to be so cut throat." 

I went on to re-post a status I had made a few weeks ago which stated simply-
"Photography is my ART. It gives me a voice, and allows me to contribute to the world creatively. It is a love and a passion in my life. But it is NOT my profession. So for that reason, I can make ANY statement I want with my images! And the freedom to do so is intoxicating!!!" 
If this opinion makes me a "Fauxtographer" in some people's books...So be it! My opinion may ruffle a few feathers, and I may lose some fans for it, but it needed to be said. My real/true supporters & fans know me and seek me out for my unique vision and a true love for the art of photography.

The EveryDay SuperHero Legacy-The Origins...

As most of you know I have always thought of myself as a superhero of sorts. The EveryDay SuperHero to be exact. My life's work allows me to touch lives in a way that very few others can. I have the ability to ease pain, save lives, support grieving families/patients, laugh and cry with them daily, and many other very amazing things. My calling as a nurse has changed me forever. But I'm sad to say that I cannot take credit for anything about this phenomenon other than the hard work I put in to become the best nurse I can be. Oh no, you see because I am not the only one w/ this SuperHero heart. Both my brothers are EveryDay SuperHeroes as well.

My oldest brother Scott is a cop and puts himself in harms way to help others and keep us safe. And my brother Steveis a fireman/paramedic that saves lives and doesn't think twice about running into burning buildings. But that is not beginning...It all started w/ our SuperHero mom. It is her heart and desire to help others that has made our family one full of extraordinary people that help others and save lives every day at work.! I refer to this as the Crawford SuperHero Heart, but the truth is that my mom's spirit and The Conner blood that courses through our veins are what made all of us humble enough to serve others.  Is it possible to have so much selflessness is one family? The Crawford Family is proof. And the most amazing part of this is I see that beautiful selfless soul and giving heart carrying on to the next generation!
There are already 4 Crawford boys and another one on the way in the next generation of EveryDay SuperHeroes. And I can already see that the legacy continues. What a way to show our one of a kind mom how much she means to not only us but to the world! So stay tuned for future installments as I headline each of The Crawford Boys and their amazingness!

Wordless Wednesdays-Images That Speak To Me...

15 More Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me...

Oh I am such a bad girl. I have been neglecting my poor blog...Well I decided my list of quirky things you may not know about me required more than 25 on the list! So here is 15 more...

1. I am obsessed with all horror movies, no matter how low budget they are or how bad the plot is, I must watch them!
 
2. I can watch reruns of Roseanne over and over...AND OVER!!! 

3. I LOATHE people who don't pull up close enough to the car in front of them at a stop light...And I  BITCH about it every time I see it!

4. Pumpkins are my fav. thing about Fall. They may even be on my "Top 5 Fav. Things In Life" list!!!

5. I hate clutter, so I MUST pick up every day before I go to bed...No matter what time it is!

6. Fast food places have a vendetta against me. No matter what fast food restaurant it is or what town I am in, they ALWAYS mess up my order, but never the orders of the people I am with...

7. Big places with lots of people give me major anxiety! So I hate Concerts, Fairs, and Sporting Events etc.

8. I hate bugs and being hot, so summer is torture for me. I love to see it rough the window of my air conditioned home though!

9. Sometimes I can take a long car ride in complete silence.

10. When I really love a song I play it over and over and over...I sometimes end up getting sick of it and hating it. Even though I know this about my self, I still do it all the time.

11. I am left handed.

12. I cry often at shows...Even when I've seen them 1000 times and I know what happens in the end. When they cry I do too.

13. I put ketchup on my green beans cuz my mom told me when I was little that they were green french fries.-And yes I STILL do it!

14. I'm a people watcher. I could jus sit in a public place for hours and watch people...It entertains me!

15. I have an obsession with puppets!!!

50 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:

 1. Take more time to stop and smell the roses-For myself.
2. Learn to paint.
3. Get a useless degree in something just for fun.
4. Meditate...Daily.
5. Learn Yoga.
6. Take a cross country road trip and visit all 50 states.
7. Visit the dead sea...And swim in it!
8. Drive a Formula 1 car.
9. Try and right some of my biggest wrongs...
10. Have a picnic...At midnight!
11. Open a Swiss bank account.
12. Place $10,000 bet on one hand of poker in a Vegas casino.
13. Use my gifts in nursing to help others in a 3rd world country.
14. Set foot on all 7 continents.
15. Live like a local for a month.
16. Visit a real Blues Bar.
17. Visit a real New York coffee/poetry reading house.
18. Learn to surf.
19. Visit an active volcano.
20. Spend 24 hours alone in the jungle.
21. Cross a country using only public transportation. See a country the way most of its people do: from the window of a bus, train, or ferry.
22. Spend the night in a storied/historic/haunted hotel.23. Attend the Summer Olympics.
24. Stand on the North Pole.
25. Visit the birthplace or grave site of a cultural icon.-I'm not sure which one yet...        
26. Enjoy a freshly rolled cigar in Cuba. 27. Write my life story.
28. Blow a month's salary on something completely ridiculous but awesome!-You can't take it with you right?!
29. Do a self portrait.
30. Plant a tree and carve my name in it!
31. Plan a very elaborate practical joke.
32. Spend a week at sea.
33. Skinny dip at midnight.
34. Have a trashy Vegas wedding!
35. Ride a horse in the surf.
36. Sleep outdoors, underneath the stars.
37. Surf and snowboard in the same day.
38. View a house that is at least 3 times what I could ever afford.
39. Research my family tree.
40. Find my 1/2 sister.
41. Get my fortune read.
42. Write letters to everyone I care about-Only to be opened after I'm gone.
43. Spend the day giving money to strangers.-Just to see the smiles on their faces.
44. Live off the land for a month.
45. Walk a marathon.
46. Visit all the places on my bucket list!
47. Test drive a car I could never afford...By a LONG shot!
48. Watch and photograph a lightning storm at sea.
49. Be the member of the audience on a TV show.
50. Shower in a waterfall.

Yup, It's OK...# 4

Yup, It's OK:
1. To shower with the lights off.
2. To question your path in life without feeling guilty or making any changes.
3. To dance around in your underwear and knee-high socks and sing at the top of your lungs when you are all alone in your house...Or even if you aren't alone!
4. To use ketchup on 95 % on what you are eating!
5. To never ever be your boss' friend on Facebook...Bad idea!                    
6. To use your cell phone as a tool to get away from whatever annoying person is trying to talk to you!-Pretend to text! Works every time!
7. To decide NOT to wear a white wedding dress.
8. To still love Tae-Bo and do it often! Who needs Zumba?!
9. To get totally grossed out when mommies talk about their changing bodies during and after pregnancy...
10. To take a "SICK" day to jus relax and get some extra rest. It's for your own sanity right?!