Making a calendar

I've been looking around at getting a calendar printed using some of my photos. Not quite sure if I want to do this or not, but I thought I might as well look at what my best options would be. It looks like the cheapest way to go online would be either with Vista Print which runs $12 a calendar + shipping and handling (but seem to have a 25% off sale going on right now) or Lulu which would run $12.33 for the number I'm looking at (not sure about shipping and handling). Of course who knows if they'll ship internationally, or how much that would add on to the price. I'll have to think a bit more about this.

Help me please

Lanterns in the Grand Bazaar
Originally uploaded by ccarlstead

I've been invited to submit photos for a contest. The theme is photos of Istanbul (taken by a foreigner). I need to pick five to submit. I've gathered my options (about 30) in a set on flickr, and would love for you to help me by commenting on the five that you think are the best. Thanks!

Another photo being used

I got a message the today that another one of my photos is being used. This time in some sort of travel guide that has been modified for the iphone. The cool thing is that they sent a link that will let me (and you) see what it would look like.

One of my photos

Rugs for sale
Originally uploaded by ccarlstead

My day was made today when someone contacted me and let me know that one of my photos was used on a New York Times page (Freakonomics on buying a carpet). You can see it here. This seems like such a bigger use/accomplishment then when one of my photos just gets used on a random blog.

Uh oh

Mom brought a treasure trove of photos for me to scan in and work with. My favorite is this one of my dad. Doesn't he just like he is getting into trouble?

Keeping in touch

I ran across this project (thanks Photojojo!) which is how two friends are keeping in touch from 3191 miles apart. They each post a picture taken each evening, they're put side by side and are a neat testament to the everyday aspects of life.

one chic great-grandmother

I love this picture of my great-grandmother taken while she was in Panama. Sometimes I just wish I had inherited 1/8 of her style.

Family Pictures (2)

I've decided to continue along the theme of old family photos. This is one of my great-grandfather from shortly after he became a cook in the Army.

my photo being used

It's been interesting to see the random places that the photos I have under a creative commons license are being used. I recently got an e-mail that one of the pictures I took in Prague last New Years is being used in an online map guide to the city.A widget of the map including my picture of the Pinkas synagogue is below. Or you can check out Schmap Prague.

A family resemblance

More fun with the family pictures...I think these two photos show who I got my looks from! You wouldn't guess now that mom and I looked so similar as babies.

Old family photos

This past week we've been sorting through quite a few things in the house, but my favorite has been some of the old family pictures we've come across. I have to say that I love this one of my mom. Who knew I had such a hot mama!

Clinging to memories

It's funny to me how much I seem to focus on recreating bits of home when I'm abroad. And then as soon as I get back to the states I seem to focus on reconstructing some of the more charming bits of my life abroad. What is it that makes humans so contrary? I guess in a way it is wanting the best of both worlds.

Three separate experiences brought this to mind today. The first was making an advent wreath for myself. While in Istanbul last weekend I bought four candle (blue and green - they're not quite the right color, but you have to be willing to improvise a bit) which I stuck to tea plates. After school today I went out with my scissors and stole some branches from the pine trees in my back yard. With some twist ties and a little bit of patience I soon had a live (soon to be dead) wreath for my table. Makes it seem a bit more like the Christmas season.

I've also been bugging my sister for pictures of my niece. The joys of the electronic age. Even though I'm 8 time zones away I can still get messages almost instantaneously and (as long as people are on top of it) keep updated on how things are changing visually. It's that bit in parenthesis that I"m having trouble with currently. So I've started a one e-mail a day campaign to my sister and brother-in-law with the hope that new pictures will be posted soon. I'm quite pleased with the one I have planned for tomorrow:
When you're far far away
With a little growing niece
You sit and wonder "Has she grown today?"
Pictures are good, they're just a small piece
To remind you when you travel there's a price to pay
I've left you all behind, but hey -
the images don't have to cease!

I also brought a little bit of Guinea (West Africa) into my kitchen today. I hosted a dinner for a couple of other returned peace corps volunteers. Mmmmm...mafe tiga (peanut sauce on rice for those who aren't familiar with fulani). Always makes me smile to taste it. Takes me back to sitting outside with my family learning the words for all the ingredients at the same time that I learned to make it. Whenever I smell the sauce I can't help but think of Fatim, NaBintu and Oumou (the three daughters of my neighbors in Koundara). Even though I haven't seen them in 4 years they are still bringing a smile to my face.