tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79334110305104191832024-03-05T09:20:18.777-08:00Blank SlatePhotography, art and writing; a personal blog.Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-80504957786056325892021-02-22T12:57:00.002-08:002021-02-22T13:13:00.994-08:00Powerless: a diary of the blackout in OregonFridayThe freezing rain started thursday night and continued into friday evening
I took some macro pictures and scraped the layer of ice off of my car so I could make a quick run to the pharmacy
We lost power at 530pm on Friday night, just as dinner was being preparedWe ate cold left overs insteadThe power company fixed some of the power and said our apartment would be fixedLise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comSalem, OR, USA44.9428975 -123.035096316.632663663821155 -158.19134630000002 73.253131336178853 -87.8788463tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-65031560699170551232020-09-02T23:46:00.000-07:002020-09-02T23:46:39.743-07:00P o e t r y~1~Come Out And PlayWhen will the sun come out and playThe sun has hidden beneath a shroudHeat radiates from behind a cloudIt suffocates an open woundWhy won't the sun come out and playLike it did the day beforeThe light casts a sickly hueNot dusk or dawn, but muted greyI asked the sun, "Please, come out and play""No," came the distant replyEchoing like thunder in the cloudy skyBoom, flash, away Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-25820054998789278062020-08-08T15:38:00.005-07:002020-08-08T15:38:58.833-07:00Photo of The Day, end of July A photography project in which I take (at least one) photo a day with my Sony A7 and a single lens. The first week I used the Canon 500mm manual focus. This is a fun lens. It has mirrors in addition to glass elements, aiding in the magnification, creating a lighter telephoto lens. I also used a Jupiter-11 135mm f4 from 1976. This is a cheap but beautiful rendering lens. Apologies for the Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-37694407569758795892020-08-06T15:39:00.001-07:002020-08-06T15:39:43.213-07:00New Times, New HabitsIt's been 147 days since Covid-19 lockdown began for me; 2 more months and that's half a year. I started thinking about how my life has changed and what new habits I started because of the new normal. Not all of my new habits are a direct result of the pandemic, but I made changes for better or worse to adapt to a new way of life. Most of us have a few new habits that are obvious. We wash Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-30298878097966050412020-07-12T00:10:00.001-07:002020-07-12T00:10:36.815-07:00Photo of the Day, Week of July 5th, 2020A photography project in which I take (at least one) photo a day with my Sony A7 and a single lens. This week I used the Jupiter-3 f1.5 50mm manual focus lens from 1957. This is a fun lens. It can have an older look to it because of minor distortion and round bokeh even when stopped down. July 6July 7July 9July 10July 11photos copyright 2020 L. A. MillerLise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-88410462406833197032020-07-03T21:32:00.005-07:002020-07-03T21:36:46.911-07:00Photo OF The Day, Week Of June 28, 2020A photography project in which I take (at least one) photo a day with my Sony A7 and a single lens. This week I used the Canon FD 24mm F2 manual focus lens from the early 1980s. This lens is one of the sharpest wide that is a legacy manual focus lens. The bokeh has a bit of a zoom effect but it is not very distracting due to the low contrast of the lens.June 29June 30July 1July 2July 3/1July 3/Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-23227768364605710642020-07-01T17:16:00.007-07:002021-02-22T13:15:48.947-08:00A song for the times; A song written for CovidA song for quarantine / covid-19.If You Pick A Package Up / Wash Your Hands - [If You're Happy And You Know It][verse 1]If you pick a package up, wash your hands. [clap, clap]If you touch a foreign surface wash your hands. [clap, clap][chorus]If you want to stay real healthy, germs can be really stealthy, so if you pick a package up, wash your hands.[verse 2]If you go out in public, wear a Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-17065635277701715162020-06-29T14:33:00.001-07:002020-06-29T14:33:59.151-07:00Day 109, June 29, 2020Day 109I sit here listening to the large construction project next door. The earth movers are back. I think the siding is up on most of the buildings. Maybe this is a sign that they are getting close to the end.The covid numbers keep going up in my state and all over the country. There is a solution, but a large group of people are ignorantly fighting the solution. "I'm being anti-racist." "Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-36532822278776354162020-06-26T22:07:00.005-07:002020-07-03T21:17:49.012-07:00Photo of The Day, Week of June 21, 2020A photography project in which I take (at least one) photo a day with my Sony A7 and a single lens. This week I used the Pentax SMC 28mm f3.5 manual focus lens from the late 1970s. This lens is very sharp with beautifully smooth bokeh. There is a bit of a swirl, from light distortion, to the bokeh at longer distances, but it is not distracting.June 22June 23June 24June 25June 26
June Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-41016596854701446182020-05-26T13:38:00.001-07:002020-05-26T13:38:27.919-07:00Getting throughPersonally, I was pretty prepared, on many levels for life during a pandemic. Of course there were a few adjustments such as cleaning, pandemic hygiene, and being creative with food. But, I know a few things that have helped greatly such as how to stay fit, how to stay mentally occupied, how to destress, any a few other things that have help.For excersise, I found that squats and calf raises (Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-90132974114121691232020-05-23T18:43:00.001-07:002020-06-30T21:45:26.560-07:00ExpertiseI often feel like I should be doing more with my life. I want to do more. Depression sets in if I overthink needing to do more activities or being more involved in life.I started feeling unwell when I was in college. It may have even been before that, but I really noticed it at that time. I was getting headaches and stomach aches. I was not sleeping well. Anxiety, a doctor said. Sure, fine... Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-65413301987024400562020-05-03T22:20:00.001-07:002020-05-04T17:57:49.177-07:00Daily Log: An UpdateHere we are, day 52. I honestly can't believe I have kept this log going for this long. I did this as an experiment to see how society, and I, changed over time during this pandemic.
I am currently taking a break from posting, however I am still writing my log. I find it interesting. I am curious to see the difference between me posting and not posting what I have written. I will keep Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-6149364659614914042020-04-28T11:44:00.001-07:002020-04-28T11:44:14.211-07:00Day 46: April 27th, 2020Day 46Today is a rest day. I still have a bad migraine. I am listening to music and resting most of the day. The things I need to do are nagging at me, but I know I will get them done. I should not stress over them.I stretched quite a bit today. It feels good to get a good stretch. I made sure to stretch my arms and shoulders against a wall because I have not been moving them as much as normal.I Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-18076505324819398642020-04-26T11:41:00.001-07:002020-04-26T11:41:27.149-07:00Day 44: April 25th, 2020Day 44Tense this morning and so I listened to calming music.I am kind of excited to work on my project and it almost over shadows my fears this morning, though I am back to being scared of getting sick. I watched videos last night of people with a rare disease where they rapidly age. It gave me some perspective. I am alive and I need to be thankful for that.I worked on my rain mobile most of Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-13517116201173978772020-04-25T11:10:00.001-07:002020-05-04T18:21:23.121-07:00Day 43: April 24th, 2020
Day 43
Woke stressed about the car. I do not think I have had to file a claim before. I've been lucky and I didn't need to drive much for a few years.
It is weird filing a claim right now. My insurance had no one manning the phones. The website was not as helpful as I had hoped, but I was able to figure out what to do with help.
I will take my car in at some point, I guess. Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-61379862098682699782020-04-23T23:16:00.001-07:002020-04-23T23:16:39.224-07:00Day 41: April 22, 2020Day 41I woke late and feel a bit droswy. I still have a headache but at least I feel less anxious. I think yesterday helped.It is raining today. My balcony plants are loving the weather.My boyfriend took some time to go to the store. We ran out of some of the staples. We signed up to try a veggie delivery service, but it won't start until May. I wish we could join a CSA, but our local one is Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-27886205150298927692020-04-21T11:21:00.001-07:002020-04-21T11:21:32.166-07:00Day 39: April 20, 2020Day 39Woke up and went back to researching mattresses.I keep noticing that they have sales often and so the prices jump around. Though I am getting better at determining the quality of foam mattresses by eye, I do not know how to be fully sure of what I am getting. May look into videos later.Noticed a mattress company or two are making cloth masks for the public. One was selling them at Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-70456155831135750492020-04-20T12:36:00.001-07:002020-04-20T12:36:25.720-07:00Day 38: April 19th, 2020Day 38Lazy Sunday.Stretched quite a bit this morning. My back feels like it might go out each morning because of the mattress lately. This has been going on for a while, but has recently gotten unbearable. Glad to have the new couch. The floor is starting to look good too.I have been able to eat a little more the past few days and today is the first morning I did not lose weight. I was starting Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-6372817120796982020-04-18T17:01:00.001-07:002020-04-18T17:01:50.697-07:00Day 36: April 17th, 2020Day 36Woke early. Listened to calming music and got some much needed advice on the gov site I was having trouble with.Listened to some new music from Fionna Apple that she put out just for the quarantine. She has not released new music in 10 years. Greenday released some punk covers of '80s songs because their tour was cancelled. I also listened to another Colin Meloy live stream. I've listened Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-67457544039884172962020-04-16T13:56:00.001-07:002020-04-16T13:56:50.202-07:00Day 34: April 15th, 2020Day 34Listened to calming music again. This really helps when I wake up anxious. Also watched some youtube videos. After a few sunny days we are back to cloudy. I hope it rains.I stretched on the balcony.Bought some stamps, because they looked cool and the postal service needs the money.I read the news because there were some things I felt I needed to pay attention to. Seems like mask Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-73730011320747963032020-04-13T13:26:00.001-07:002020-04-15T15:45:11.703-07:00Day 31: April 12th, 2020Day 31I need to find a way to calm down. I woke up very anxious today. I felt sick from anxiety.My boyfriend went to the store this morning. There were a few things still that we needed, so I went to another store. I waited in line to get in, shopped masked as per the new normal, and got my three items. I kept dropping stuff on the floor. I hate anxiety.I did the ritual cleaning when I got home. Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-17157329708767503742020-04-09T15:35:00.001-07:002020-04-09T15:35:35.843-07:00Day 27: April 8th, 2020Day 27Woke up, took recycling out to the dumpster with my handkerchief on my face. Then I walked around the parking lot in the sunshine. Still amazed at the lack of masks and face coverings on other people. Saw some people doing laundry.I took photos of my trees growing on my balcony because I realized I nearly have a forest going out there. Birds drop seeds in my planters and I let the trees Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-82109901362476700152020-04-07T12:58:00.001-07:002020-04-07T12:58:08.117-07:00Day 25: April 6th, 2020Day 25I woke very early this morning and did not feel so great. I played games on my phone until I fell back asleep.Finally, I woke up later and did chores and such. I checked social media.Learned that Oregon is a big donator of ventilators to New York. ❤️After finding my binoculars in my gardening bin, I started doing nature observations for a volunteer program. This is something I wanted to do,Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-28790572401283894212020-04-05T17:03:00.003-07:002020-07-03T00:47:12.670-07:00Day 23: April 4th, 2020
Day 23
Talked to my Mom this morning. Everything is going well.
I did chores and ate.
Played Terraria for a while. Games are a good distraction when I am feeling less stressed.
I washed some material for sewing more masks.
I ate what we are calling spaghetti lasagna. It probably has a real name, but it is a delicious pile of baked spaghetti with (a so-called Mexican blend of) Lise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933411030510419183.post-53982327328546498132020-04-04T19:55:00.001-07:002020-04-08T22:59:13.085-07:00Day 22: April 3rd, 2020
Day 22
Woke up with no cat bothering me. I brushed her for a half hour last night. That seemed to help her feel better. She had a knot in her tail that needed brushed out.
Went for a neighborhood walk. I tried out my mask. I wish more people were wearing masks. I have only seen one person at my complex wearing one. A dust mask is better than no mask.
Saw multiple people at the bus stop. ILise Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04617252408974829319noreply@blogger.com