Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Playing some piano, keyboards, and a bit of guitar... wishing I wasn't alone on New Year's Eve. *sigh*

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Really not looking forward to spending all of New Year's Eve & Day totally alone in this quiet, sad house. Ugh. Loneliness can be crushing.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Weird. The status update I sent at 2pm only just now got posted. Hrm. It took 8 hours to post an update?
At court hoping to reduce my ticket.
The shoot Sunday was amazing. Postings photos on Flickr. They involve nudity, so you have to have an account there & set your filters.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Painfully tense, very depressed, and with bad headache... but really looking forward to the sexy New Year shoot this afternoon.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Painfully tense, very depressed, and with bad headache... but really looking forward to the sexy New Year shoot tomorrow.
Can't help singing along, "Pioneer Ford, they're such big fat guys/ Pioneer Ford, they tell you big fat lies..."
severe depression

Friday, December 26, 2008

Not to cause a stir, but am I feeling a minor earthquake? fFeels like the ground is rocking a bit. Or is it a truck? Or low blood sugar?
At work, but it's so dead quiet that we're planning to close early.
Absolutely dreading another miserable, lonely New Year's Eve.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Eartha Kitt has died. Take a minute to watch: http://ping.fm/jyMev
Christmas alone in a quiet house really, really sucks. I've got nobody and nothing. And New Year next week = more of the same.
As of 2:55 a.m. it is snowing nice and hard outside! Woo! Maybe we can still have a white Christmas! Now I just need Vera Ellen. *sigh*

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Why, yes, I *DO* drink when struggling with depression! Thomas Kemper root beer rocks.
At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. http://ping.fm/H3U9t

The Blessing of Freedom

At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.
At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.
Well, I TRIED to go in to work. Halfway there, I got my car stuck in deep snow at the roadside. I'm unstuck now and back home.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Is the Bellingham Herald shutting down?? http://ping.fm/P7LhX
Merry Xmas! http://ping.fm/3VOnK Heading out now, TRYING to get to work. Supposed to be more snow tonight.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Cookies? Twitter? Either will do

Who has twitter? Follow me and I'll follow you! http://ping.fm/fPXCk Also, anybody have extra gingerbread or any kind of Xmas cookies? Send 'em my way! I am SO not kidding! :-D My absolute lack of any Xmas baked goodies whatsoever is very sad. *sniff*
Merry Xmas! http://ping.fm/3VOnK Anybody have extra gingerbread or cookies? Send 'em my way! (I am SO not kidding! :-D )
Happy holidays! http://ping.fm/3VOnK Wish I wasn't snowed in though. It's nasty out there!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Yesterday was intense and harrowing and amazing! http://ping.fm/V1Azi

An Unforgettable Day

Saturday, December 20, 2008 was one helluva night to remember. I had my second shoot with the amazing-in-every-way Bridgette Colette. Like last time, I drove down to Marysville (57 miles) to pick her up, drove back to Bellingham to shoot in the studio, then I drove her back home, then finally came back to Bellingham myself. That's 228 miles of driving, except this time the roads were covered in snow and ice. And by the end of the shoot... well, we'll get to that. The shoot was just incredible. It began with shooting some Christmas-themed photos, including what will be my Christmas card for this year. Then it moved through a bunch of different "scenes" which were dramatically different from each other, including a sexy fishnets shoot, an innocent "springtime" shot, an early Valentines Day shoot, a "chic smoking" shoot, an improvised idea with a felt hat, a sexy shoot in the style of FHM and Maxim with her playing with the stereotypes of male bachelor behavior, and then a couple of different "tough girl" shoots -- one somewhat hair-metal in style, the other a bit Tank-Girl-like in nature. We got a huge variety of shots, and made this surely the most diverse AND the most ambitious shoot I've ever done. Fresh chocolate chip cookies capped it off perfectly, and around 8:30 we set out for the trip to drive her back to Marysville. The drive from Bellingham to Marysville was a bit tense at spots, with lanes sometimes being invisible due to the snow, plus some unpredictable slippery moments. But mostly it was no problem for somebody who is good at driving in snow and ice like me. In the snow, the one-hour drive became nearly two hours long. We talked the entire way, and when I dropped her off I wished we'd had even more time to talk. What a great, wonderful girl she is! One I dropped her off, I headed back north to Bellingham. That drive was a whole different affair. A new snowstorm was hitting hard, and now the lanes were completely covered, and much more slippery. Worse, there was a lot of blowing snow. For several miles north of Burlington, I was stuck in a genuine whiteout. All I could see was thick, swirling whiteness at the hood of my car. I could not see the ground, nor even the headlight beams. The only thing guiding me for a while was two little red dots -- the taillights of the car in front of me. I just hoped that they knew what they were doing and steered to keep those red dots in front of me. It was all I could do. It was the most intense, stressful, exhausting drive I've ever done. But to shoot with Bridgette, it was absolutely, unquestionably worth it! I can't wait to start posting finished photos Sunday afternoon. This was an incredible day, and an incredible shoot. I'll never forgot today.

An Amazing (and Harrowing) Night!

Saturday, December 20, 2008 was one helluva night to remember. I had my second shoot with the amazing-in-every-way Bridgette Colette. Like last time, I drove down to Marysville (57 miles) to pick her up, drove back to Bellingham to shoot in the studio, then I drove her back home, then finally came back to Bellingham myself. That's 228 miles of driving, except this time the roads were covered in snow and ice. And by the end of the shoot... well, we'll get to that. The shoot was just incredible. It began with shooting some Christmas-themed photos, including what will be my Christmas card for this year. Then it moved through a bunch of different "scenes" which were dramatically different from each other, including a sexy fishnets shoot, an innocent "springtime" shot, an early Valentines Day shoot, a "chic smoking" shoot, an improvised idea with a felt hat, a sexy shoot in the style of FHM and Maxim with her playing with the stereotypes of male bachelor behavior, and then a couple of different "tough girl" shoots -- one somewhat hair-metal in style, the other a bit Tank-Girl-like in nature. We got a huge variety of shots, and made this surely the most diverse AND the most ambitious shoot I've ever done. Fresh chocolate chip cookies capped it off perfectly, and around 8:30 we set out for the trip to drive her back to Marysville. The drive from Bellingham to Marysville was a bit tense at spots, with lanes sometimes being invisible due to the snow, plus some unpredictable slippery moments. But mostly it was no problem for somebody who is good at driving in snow and ice like me. In the snow, the one-hour drive became nearly two hours long. We talked the entire way, and when I dropped her off I wished we'd had even more time to talk. What a great, wonderful girl she is! One I dropped her off, I headed back north to Bellingham. That drive was a whole different affair. A new snowstorm was hitting hard, and now the lanes were completely covered, and much more slippery. Worse, there was a lot of blowing snow. For several miles north of Burlington, I was stuck in a genuine whiteout. All I could see was thick, swirling whiteness at the hood of my car. I could not see the ground, nor even the headlight beams. The only thing guiding me for a while was two little red dots -- the taillights of the car in front of me. I just hoped that they knew what they were doing and steered to keep those red dots in front of me. It was all I could do. It was the most intense, stressful, exhausting drive I've ever done. But to shoot with Bridgette, it was absolutely, unquestionably worth it! I can't wait to start posting finished photos Sunday afternoon. This was an incredible day, and an incredible shoot. I'll never forgot today.

Friday, December 19, 2008

ARGH! I think I just accidentally spammed a bunch of people with invites to StumbleUpon. Be careful when adding friends vie email there!
6 packs of two-four, 5 golden toques, 4 pounds of back bacon, 3 French toasts, 2 turtlenecks and a beer in a tree! http://ping.fm/BnzHJ
My Former Model Is Famous! (or infamous!) http://ping.fm/unSWy

Thursday, December 18, 2008

My Former Model Is Famous! (or infamous!)

Back in February and March of 2007 I did a series of four different shoots with a gorgeous, sexy, smart, funny and unforgettable model. At the time she made it very clear that she was serious about becoming a professional model. I tried to give her some good shots to show around to get started. Little did I know where she was going to wind up!

Just after our last shoot -- the one with the very popular boxing photo of her -- she went to California during spring break. I didn't hear from her for a while, and then she sent a message to all her friends saying she had made the "controversial" decision to stay in California for the time being.

We stayed in touch, but I had no idea what she was doing and I didn't intrude and ask. But she would sometimes allude to the "controversy" and that a lot of people in Washington State apparently did not support her. Then one day she posted new professional photos on one of her social networking profiles. I looked up the photographer, and found that my sweet model and friend was now a rapidly-rising porn star now working under the screen name "Tori Black." Yoinks!

Where others didn't support her, I immediately did. What does it matter what she does? And what is wrong with sexuality? No, don't post your reply below; I will delete it. There is no argument: there is nothing whatsoever wrong with sexuality, nor with the career path she has chosen.

For more than a year she did fairly typical adult movies with typically silly premises -- the tennis player who gets "tutored", the nanny who gets a "bonus", the naughty school girl who gets "punished", you get the idea. The first movies were obviously super low-budget, but some of the latest ones appeared to be a bit more elaborate.

But now she has truly arrived. She is the Penthouse Pet of the Month for December, and is on the cover. Making the cover and centerfold of either of the "big two" (Playboy or Penthouse) means you've arrived in the industry. It's a big achievement.

I'm proud of you, Tori. You did good. I'm lucky to have done four shoots with you when you were just starting out, and I'm glad to have helped you at the very beginning of it all. For all the fans of Tori who haven't seen the shots before, here are some photos from the four shoots i did with her before she got into the industry, when she was just starting out:

TORI BLACK shoots by Dave Ward Photography, February-March 2007

YOU STOLE FIZZY LIFTING DRINKS! YOU LOSE! YOU GET NOTHING! GOOD DAY!
How about a nice mug of hull cleaner? Love, J.D.
Olbermann time!

Take A Snow Ride (and take it easy)

I just took a brief drive in the snow, testing to see if it is as bad as i feared, or not as bad, or worse. I ran to Mojo music to get a set of strings for the 12-string guitar my dad recently repaired (the neck had been snapped for years), and a spare 010 high E for the special tuning I use on another guitar. Roads are just.... fucking.... NASTY. It's as bad as I feared, maybe even a notch worse. I'm a pretty good snow driver, at least for western Washington state, and had no problems coping with all the fishtailing and sliding. I wasn't worried so much about my own driving, but more about other people. And the conditions themselves are just horrible, even for a good snow driver. I tried to go to Barnes & Noble to look for something for somebody. I got there fine, but just as I got to the door to walk in a woman poked her head out. "I'm sorry," she said, "We're closing right now so our employees can get home before dark." As much as I wanted to look around in the store, I think she made a good choice for them. It was bad in daylight, and will be really unsafe at night. I hope it's better tomorrow. I have taken two 'snow days' now, and they're unpaid. I can't afford more of that.
5 golden toques, 4 pounds of back bacon, 3 french toasts, 2 turtlenecks and a beer in a tree! http://ping.fm/BnzHJ
5 golden toques, 4 pound of back bacon, 3 french toasts, 2 turtlenecks and a beer in a tree! http://ping.fm/BnzHJ
Roads are iced, and it's snowing hard right now. I'm stuck here again. Another snow day.. Honestly, I think I'd rather be working.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Reinstalled the OS. Computer working again. Still need to upgrade to 10.5.6. *sigh* Now if only my model would return the call. Arrrgh!
Computer won't boot. You have to phone or text to reach me for now
This is the scene looking right out the window from my computer desk today: http://ping.fm/a5o9R
A peek out my window
A peek out my window
Snow day; I'm home. There's serious snow in Mount Vernon, though Bellingham itself has only gotten started. I <3 snow. Watching it fall...
HALP! Anybody know where in #Bellingham I can get mistletoe? Like, today? I tried Michael's and Wal-Mart -- they fail. Need for photo shoot!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I was supposed to be doing an awesome shoot for my Xmas cards tomorrow or Thurs, but the model isn't replying now. Worried & very upset...
Is it considered bad/rude to send a text message at 1:20am? I think of it like email--send any time. Or am I wrong? How does that work?

Monday, December 15, 2008

Plumbing at work is frozen solid. My kidneys and I are in hell.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Back home with a few snow photos. Can't stop thinking of cocoa, so I guess I'd better go make some!
Going out to take a few snow photos, or at least have a look. Any models feel like a casual, quick snow shoot? Text or email me right away!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

It's snowing HARD and the roads are a terrible mess. I love it! If it keeps up overnight, it will be a beautiful nightmare in the morning!
Damn this is freaking boring. I wish I had somewhere to go and something to do and somebody to do it with. This sucks HARD. :-(
Mug of hot cocoa + tiny marshmallows = happy. All I need now is for the snow to start. Come on, snow!
I see it's snowing down in Skagit County now. Waiting anxiously in Bellingham -- come on, snow!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Is looking forward to the BUSY shooting schedule over the next 10 days! Mandy, Miss Cat, Sarah, Amelia and Bridgette! What a *BIG* week!
Is looking forward to the BUSY shooting schedule over the next 10 days! Mandy, Miss Cat, Sarah, Amelia and Bridgette! What a *BIG* week!
HEAVY snow around Lake Samish during my commute this morning. Didn't stick. Snow expected all over tomorrow with bad cold snap following.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

One of the most beautiful and accessible songs by my favorite band on this marble. ♫ http://blip.fm/~14c1i
One of the most beautiful and accessible songs by my favorite band on this marble. ♫ http://blip.fm/~14c1i
Bless you Bettie Page. Rest in peace.
URGENT holiday wreath help needed! Please read -- http://ping.fm/Uwpl1

Urgent holiday wreath help needed!

I urgently need to either buy or borrow a large wreath for a photo shoot next week (probably on the 17th, but the date is not yet confirmed). A normal-sized door wreath will not do. It has to be around 16-24 inches across; it't not big enough unless you can stick your head comfortably through the middle of it and have a bit of room to spare. 16-24 inches is a good size. I need to either find the CHEAPEST place to buy a wreath that size here in Bellingham or Mt. Vernon/Burlington, or better yet borrow one for the shoot from somebody who has one. Decorated simply would be nice -- berries, pine cones, shiny balls, bells or bows -- but plain is fine, too. (I have my own ornaments I can use.) if you have ANY tips or possible help in my urgent quest for a wreath of that specific size, please let me know ASAP!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

I'm a snowman, abominably. Abominable snowman, that's me.
Very tired, very sore. Aches and pains, but also weird needle-like tingles. *sigh* Effing pain sucks.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Updating my calendar with more shoots planned. Amelia and then a new shoot with Bridgette Colette! Woo! :-D Makeup artist needed!!

Monday, December 08, 2008

I miss my purple friend. It's been way, way too long. *sigh*
Woke up scandalously early. Getting ready for work. Can I have another weekend please?

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Been home for a while now, after a long trip out into the rainy, misty North Cascades. Did I mention the RAIN? Also, it rained a lot!
Back in concrete, on my way home. 1 hr driving to go. Hope bex is ok
Leaving concrete, east into n. Cascades. Raining lots. No cell service after now.
At the tower in concrete, wa - but without mandy to photograph this time :-(
Grabbing some kind of breakfast and then heading east on Highway 20 into the North Cascades. Hope I'll see some bald eagles.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

I hate dozing off in front of the TV at 9pm. I always wake up 4 hours later a bit groggy, then can't sleep again until after dawn. Bleh.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Omg! Santa just drove by while i was in the bank!
Did commercial shoot with Ruby Hardt on Thurs, tonight is Jessika, Sat. is Puncharella, and more shoots in the works! Damn I'm BUSY!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Working the dark side in my secret bunker at an undisclosed location.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Damn stupid aches and pains! :-( Pondering Kim's suggestion, knowing it would be VERY good for me. Hrm, can I make that work?

Monday, December 01, 2008

Feeling really lousy. Less than 1hr of sleep last night. Probably going to sleep quite early tonight. Exhaustion + deep aches = THE SUCK.
Two hours from now I have to be pulling out of the driveway to head to work, and I still haven't slept at all. Ugh. Stressed, sore, sleepless...
Severe insomnia, coupled with major aches & pains. Ugh. :-(