So, What's this 365?

If you keep an eye on my flickr account you'll notice that I'm doing the Project 365. Basically, taking one photo a day. Not just a snap, but actually a photo. Why? Well, I want to improve my photography, push it further and learn new techniques. Furthermore, I think it's a very good exercise on creativity. And finally, I aim for every photo to reflect a little bit of either what's going on in my head or what's going on in my life. So probably you'll see quite a few photos of my daughters :)

If you follow the photos, let me know what you think! Hopefully you'll enjoy the ride with me.

Day 6 - Fernanda

Day 6 - Fernanda
Originally uploaded by arredomi.

January 6th, the day that the three wise man come and deliver presents to the children. Unfortunately for Fernanda, the three wise man made a big mistake when choosing her present and she was really dissapointed and upset. Eventually she'll know that the three wise man were even more upset from seeing her so sad...... Things of life, uh?

Not much technical details about the photo. Beauty dish on top of her (handheld), 85mm prime lens. Processed in BW using PS. I love the imperfection of it (her hair on her face). She wasn't really posing, more like being patient with dad. But I do love her expression.

Thinking of Cinema Paradiso

Thinking of Cinema Paradiso
Originally uploaded by arredomi.

This one made me think of Cinema Paradiso, the tale that Alfredo tells to Toto:

Once upon a time, a king gave a feast. And there came the most beautiful princesses of the realm. Now, a soldier, who was standing guard, saw the king's daughter go by. She was the most beautiful one, and he immediately fell in love with her. But what could a poor soldier do when it came to the daughter of the king? Well, finally, one day, he managed to meet her, and he told her that he could no longer live without her. The princess was so impressed by his strong feelings that she said to the soldier: "If you can wait 100 days and 100 nights under my balcony, then at the end of it, I shall be yours." Damn! The soldier immediately went there and waited one day. And two days. And ten. And then twenty. And every evening, the princess looked out of her window, but he never moved. During rain, during wind, during snow, he was always there. The bird shat on his head, and the bees stung him, but he didn't budge. After ninety nights, he had become all dried up, all white, and the tears streamed from his eyes. He couldn't hold them back. He no longer had the strength to sleep. All that time, the princess watched him. And on the 99th night, the soldier stood up, took his chair, and went away.....

If you've seen the movie you'll know what I'm talking about, if you haven't then you are missing an excellent movie.

A mis amigos

Los amigos, los que en los buenos tiempos comparten la risa y en las malas nos ayudan a seguir a flote, aunque a veces paguen algunas que no deben. Ayer que reparti una que no debia me acorde mucho de esta cancion y lo mucho que les debo. Asi que va por ustedes.....

300 Mexicans

I think only latins can get a situation that is so sad and still laugh at themselves.

Fantasma

Entró por la ventana, junto con el viento frío de la noche. Resbaló por el buró, el cual inspeccionó detenidamente: el teléfono, el despertador, las velas, las fotos de los tiempos que pasaron juntos... Comenzó a repasar su cuerpo; como antes, siempre comenzando por sus pies. Recorrió cada uno de los poros de sus piernas, dio un par de vueltas por la cintura antes de descansar en el ombligo. Caminó por su vientre hasta llegar al pecho. Con cuidado de no despertarla llego a su cuello. Lentamente subió a la boca donde depositó un beso. Se estacionó cerca de la nariz para poder percibir su aliento, su respiración rítmica, lenta, caliente, dormida. Robó un suspiro que ella dejo escapar en su sueño y con ese suspiro escapó inspirado por la ventana, como el fantasma que era....

Hurt

Hurt
Originally uploaded by arredomi.

Very few times I am this obsesive. Yeah, my two readers know that I AM obsesive, but few times this much.....

A few months ago I listened to this song in a bar. I KNEW it was Johny Cash, but i couldn't remember the name of the song. I knew I've heard it a dozen times while playing poker at Steve's. So, tonight, after dinner at his place (pretty good by the way), I got to check the CD that I've heard so many times. Finally I get to pay attention to the lyrics and I think it is a great song.

I wanted to take a photo to go along with the song (tell me something new).... Not sure I reflect anything new. I think sometimes it is pain what makes us feel alive, what makes us realize what we've got and we've lost. And most probably what challenges us to keep going if you can take it in a constructive way......

Here are the lyrics, just in case you're interested:

I hurt myself today
to see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything
what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt

I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
upon my liar's chair
full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
beneath the stains of time
the feelings disappear
you are someone else
I am still right here

what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt

I will let you down
I will make you hurt

if I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way .