I've just recently started getting into running, which is something I honestly never thought I would do. I've always been tall and athletic, and I probably would have made a great cross country runner, but I always had so much pressure piled on top of me that I rejected a lot of sports when I was young. I was also anorexic, which made exercise a conflicted issue, and I vaguely recall one instance where my mother had to carry me off the field at a meet because I fainted. Pretty sad stuff. I started exercising again a few years ago when I was trying to deal with my boyfriend at the time being gone on tour most of the year. It was great therapy when I had a troubled student in my class the first year I ever taught photography. Working out was a way to be totally distracted and still be in touch with myself in a way that I never really understood before. Running, however, was still off limits.
Well, many things have changed in the past few years, and I've seen my mother take up exercise and even start to train for a half-marathon. My husband of 6 months wakes up at 5:30 in the morning to run before he goes to school. I still exercise regularly, but running? Mysterious...tedious...painful! I tried running to and from the gym last week, which resulted in sore ankles and a runny nose (it's too cold to run outside.) A few days ago, I got on the treadmill and ran a 13 minute mile. It wasn't as hard as I thought, and the rush that I got just knowing that I was doing something that I hadn't tried since I was a teenager was surprisingly thrilling. Yesterday I ran for almost 2 miles straight and it RULED! I was sweating like a hog, bright red in the face, hair stuck to my forehead and neck, but I felt completely in tune with how far I could go, and how harmonious my body could be. My hope is to run indoors during the winter and start running in the neighborhood when the weather permits again.
I attribute this newfound freedom to the safety and love that I get from my husband, friends and parents every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Yes, we can!
Rob and I voted first thing in the morning yesterday. After getting through the line in less than an hour, he went to school and I went on a long walk with my lovely friend Erika. I've been fighting off a nasty cold, but I was determined to stay up for the results and to hopefully hear an acceptance speech to remember. Rob and I were both stunned at how fast the results poured in, and how quickly Obama's lead over McCain grew! I remember being in Florida in 2000 when the election fracas was in full swing, and I was worried that there would be attempts to gum up the works this time too. We went to the Bryant Lake Bowl to have a beer and listen to our new president speak, and the whole experience was so moving, so thrilling, so awe inspiring. I felt a particular jolt when he announced Michelle Obama as the first lady, and I shouted without even realizing it. I have no better words now than "THIS IS SO NECESSARY, THIS IS SO WONDERFUL!" I feel so heartened and inspired to be an American today, and it's not an experience that is familiar. I acknowledge that we could be in situations far worse, but here we are, on the cusp of a tragic and embarrassing presidency and on the verge of what I hope will be a progressive and healing time for our country. And *bonus* no more political ads on tv! I hope that all of my friends and family are feeling as gratified and optimistic as I am today.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Girls on film
There is some new work on my website http://www.ellenfitzgerald.net from this summer. It is tentatively titled "Away With" until I finish editing the images and statement. Please take a look!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Honeymoon Part 3
Venezia! The Floating City
The last leg of our trip was spent toddling around Venice. It was only by the time that we arrived there that I realized all three of our destinations were water based cities. I found Italians to be all-around awesome people: good looking, chic, friendly, laid back...I guess it doesn't hurt to live in a place that is so freakishly picturesque. This photo doesn't really accentuate the unusual minty green color of the canal water, but the color of the city in general is really luscious.
An example of the beautiful ornamentation that can be found just about anywhere. There is a heavy use of lion motifs, which are sometimes winged and really appealed to the mythological nerd in me.
The palette of the city.
We made a brief stop in some of the more touristy spots.
Italian sky rats.
The zodiac clock-you can see where the sun is in Gemini. Duuuuuude.
Some of the marble work at the Governor's Palace-I wish that I had been able to photograph inside, but it wasn't allowed much. The Palace was a giant complex that was part dungeon, part palace, part baroque gallery, part court. It was one cavernous room after the other, with walls covered in dark wood, gold and intricate portraits of dozens of governors (who were the equivalent of the president? Grand Poo-bah? Ryan Seacrest?) sitting in the clouds with the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. It was so heady and over the top-it felt like a period piece film set.
The courtyard of the Palace. This must be where all the chill backyard hangouts happened. You know...something low-key.
Venice was plastered with Carnivale shops selling really gaudy masks-of course I had to photograph the unicorn mask.
We opted out of taking a gondola ride. It was outrageously expensive, and there was plenty of cheap and accessible water transportation. Besides, I didn't fancy the idea of being on display trying to have a "romantic" moment while every tourist within throwing distance is photographing like their lives depended on it.
Other things we did in Venice: saw the Peggy Guggenheim museum which is in her old villa on the Canal, drank Prosecco at 2 in the afternoon, had dinner in an amazing little cramped restaurant that no tourist could ever find on a map, saw a ton of art, walked miles without realizing it...it was a brief flash of the city but it was a lovely end to our trip.
The last leg of our trip was spent toddling around Venice. It was only by the time that we arrived there that I realized all three of our destinations were water based cities. I found Italians to be all-around awesome people: good looking, chic, friendly, laid back...I guess it doesn't hurt to live in a place that is so freakishly picturesque. This photo doesn't really accentuate the unusual minty green color of the canal water, but the color of the city in general is really luscious. 
An example of the beautiful ornamentation that can be found just about anywhere. There is a heavy use of lion motifs, which are sometimes winged and really appealed to the mythological nerd in me.
The palette of the city.
We made a brief stop in some of the more touristy spots.
Italian sky rats.
The zodiac clock-you can see where the sun is in Gemini. Duuuuuude.
Some of the marble work at the Governor's Palace-I wish that I had been able to photograph inside, but it wasn't allowed much. The Palace was a giant complex that was part dungeon, part palace, part baroque gallery, part court. It was one cavernous room after the other, with walls covered in dark wood, gold and intricate portraits of dozens of governors (who were the equivalent of the president? Grand Poo-bah? Ryan Seacrest?) sitting in the clouds with the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. It was so heady and over the top-it felt like a period piece film set.
The courtyard of the Palace. This must be where all the chill backyard hangouts happened. You know...something low-key.
Venice was plastered with Carnivale shops selling really gaudy masks-of course I had to photograph the unicorn mask.
We opted out of taking a gondola ride. It was outrageously expensive, and there was plenty of cheap and accessible water transportation. Besides, I didn't fancy the idea of being on display trying to have a "romantic" moment while every tourist within throwing distance is photographing like their lives depended on it.
Other things we did in Venice: saw the Peggy Guggenheim museum which is in her old villa on the Canal, drank Prosecco at 2 in the afternoon, had dinner in an amazing little cramped restaurant that no tourist could ever find on a map, saw a ton of art, walked miles without realizing it...it was a brief flash of the city but it was a lovely end to our trip.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Honeymoon Part 2
Crucial Croatia
We spent most of our trip in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is one of three preserved medieval cities in Europe. The plane touched down in an airport hidden in a valley, and our ride into the city unfolded into a ridiculous view of sea and sky. The city itself is a white marble walled-in fortress.
The view from our apartment.
Dubrovnik is a steep place-lots of winding stairs and crooked walls. Best of all, it's practically covered with tropical plants. Nearly every home has a pergola, and everything is in bloom.
Here's me getting winded on some wack staircase. It just kept going and going. I need to stop for a beer, please.
A view of the city from the walls. You can take a 1 mile tour of the fortress walls which really gives you a bird's eye view of the layout of the area. I've never seen so many terracotta roofs in my life. There is a good chunk of the city that is still very much under renovation after being bombed during the Serbian-Croatian War.
It was the World Cup while we were here, and Croatia was kicking ass and taking names. It was cool to walk to down to the bar and watch the game-you could literally hear a unified victory cheer throughout the entire city when they scored! Then you hear what I think was the national anthem...over and over again with dudes zipping by on tiny motorcycles getting wasted and just freaking out. The girl in the photo had a Croatian flag painted on her cheek, which is somehow cuter than getting drunk on a motorcycle.
Robert plunging into the Adriatic off of Lokrum island.
A beautiful maritime cemetery in Cavtat.
Rob and I drove to the top of a nearby mountain for a dinner made "under the bell" which describes a local food prep method: basically they take whatever meat you want to dine on and cook it for 4-5 hours over smoldering embers covered by a (yup) giant metal bell. You have to call a day or so in advance, which Rob did, and was presented with a list of potential meats we could have. We chose the lamb, since we figured it would be a bit more local (no beef or pork....nowhere....not that I really care that much, because ~duh~ we are in a seafaring town and I love seafood) When we arrived at the mountain top, we found a sweet little patio and a server in full native dress. She kept suggesting dishes and we just kept saying yes, because we didn't know any better and we didn't want to be rude. All of it was delicious: local meats and cheeses, brandy, "salad" (shredded lettuce and tomato-how I was longing for some spinach and tempeh and such!) and then a massive platter of our lamb with potatoes in what basically constituted a stick of butter. IT WAS AWESOME! High five Croatia!
A view from the mountain after our infamous dinner.
One of our day trips was to Montenegro, which borders Croatia on the east. I believe it translates to roughly "Black Mountain" which has a distinct metal appeal, but it was a very discomforting and emotionally draining day for me. This whole country seems oppressed, whether financially or politically, and is sorely underdeveloped. Even the weather was bleak: a kind of half-hearted overcast sky, a slight drizzle of unconvincing rain, a breeze that often fell flat. We eventually stopped for lunch and I had the most depressing bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce ever. Really, did I come all this way to sit in some strip mall and eat this slop with a bunch of surly locals? Where's the interesting local specialty? Where's the charming waterfront cafe? Where's the freaking booze already!? Bitching aside, we did stop and see some ancient Roman mosaics dating 300B.C. on the drive home which gave the landscape a little context.
Miljet! Whoo-hoo Miljet!! (pronounced Mill-yet) One of our last little hurrahs in Croatia was to take a 2 hour boat ride to Miljet island for a sleepover. It's basically a giant national park, and we were restricted to a few areas, but it was so quiet and beautiful that it didn't feel restrictive. We rented a scooter and traveled all over the place, which was seriously the best thing ever because we were all alone on this green island just humming away under the blue sky and bright sun. It's one of my favorite memories of our whole trip.
While we were on our scooter, we passed this elderly woman at her roadside shop and we pulled over to check out her goods (the food and drink goods I mean. Ew, stop it. I know what you're thinking. Ew.) She had bottles of homemade brandy and wine for sale, and by that point we had finally learned the words for wine and brandy so we could communicate with her. She had the gnarliest hands I'd ever seen, and all her liquors were bottled in used water and juice bottles. It was nice to have this encounter since so much of our time had been spent in relatively touristy spots, where everything is prepackaged and orderly. We went back to our room to make dinner and get relaxed with our backwoods-peasant-lady-moonshine.
Easy summer fishing on Miljet.
There really were an endless supply of great sights on this leg of the trip. I didn't even get to the feral cat population, the squid incident, the monastery with the bomb hole, the Serbian-Croatian war crimes photo exhibit (WHOA), the ice cream proliferation, the bar on the rocks right on the ocean...But! I will leave you with this: a photo of a sunbather's butt. You're welcome!
We spent most of our trip in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is one of three preserved medieval cities in Europe. The plane touched down in an airport hidden in a valley, and our ride into the city unfolded into a ridiculous view of sea and sky. The city itself is a white marble walled-in fortress.
The view from our apartment. Dubrovnik is a steep place-lots of winding stairs and crooked walls. Best of all, it's practically covered with tropical plants. Nearly every home has a pergola, and everything is in bloom.
Here's me getting winded on some wack staircase. It just kept going and going. I need to stop for a beer, please.
A view of the city from the walls. You can take a 1 mile tour of the fortress walls which really gives you a bird's eye view of the layout of the area. I've never seen so many terracotta roofs in my life. There is a good chunk of the city that is still very much under renovation after being bombed during the Serbian-Croatian War. 
It was the World Cup while we were here, and Croatia was kicking ass and taking names. It was cool to walk to down to the bar and watch the game-you could literally hear a unified victory cheer throughout the entire city when they scored! Then you hear what I think was the national anthem...over and over again with dudes zipping by on tiny motorcycles getting wasted and just freaking out. The girl in the photo had a Croatian flag painted on her cheek, which is somehow cuter than getting drunk on a motorcycle.
Robert plunging into the Adriatic off of Lokrum island.
A beautiful maritime cemetery in Cavtat.
Rob and I drove to the top of a nearby mountain for a dinner made "under the bell" which describes a local food prep method: basically they take whatever meat you want to dine on and cook it for 4-5 hours over smoldering embers covered by a (yup) giant metal bell. You have to call a day or so in advance, which Rob did, and was presented with a list of potential meats we could have. We chose the lamb, since we figured it would be a bit more local (no beef or pork....nowhere....not that I really care that much, because ~duh~ we are in a seafaring town and I love seafood) When we arrived at the mountain top, we found a sweet little patio and a server in full native dress. She kept suggesting dishes and we just kept saying yes, because we didn't know any better and we didn't want to be rude. All of it was delicious: local meats and cheeses, brandy, "salad" (shredded lettuce and tomato-how I was longing for some spinach and tempeh and such!) and then a massive platter of our lamb with potatoes in what basically constituted a stick of butter. IT WAS AWESOME! High five Croatia!
A view from the mountain after our infamous dinner.
One of our day trips was to Montenegro, which borders Croatia on the east. I believe it translates to roughly "Black Mountain" which has a distinct metal appeal, but it was a very discomforting and emotionally draining day for me. This whole country seems oppressed, whether financially or politically, and is sorely underdeveloped. Even the weather was bleak: a kind of half-hearted overcast sky, a slight drizzle of unconvincing rain, a breeze that often fell flat. We eventually stopped for lunch and I had the most depressing bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce ever. Really, did I come all this way to sit in some strip mall and eat this slop with a bunch of surly locals? Where's the interesting local specialty? Where's the charming waterfront cafe? Where's the freaking booze already!? Bitching aside, we did stop and see some ancient Roman mosaics dating 300B.C. on the drive home which gave the landscape a little context.
Miljet! Whoo-hoo Miljet!! (pronounced Mill-yet) One of our last little hurrahs in Croatia was to take a 2 hour boat ride to Miljet island for a sleepover. It's basically a giant national park, and we were restricted to a few areas, but it was so quiet and beautiful that it didn't feel restrictive. We rented a scooter and traveled all over the place, which was seriously the best thing ever because we were all alone on this green island just humming away under the blue sky and bright sun. It's one of my favorite memories of our whole trip.
While we were on our scooter, we passed this elderly woman at her roadside shop and we pulled over to check out her goods (the food and drink goods I mean. Ew, stop it. I know what you're thinking. Ew.) She had bottles of homemade brandy and wine for sale, and by that point we had finally learned the words for wine and brandy so we could communicate with her. She had the gnarliest hands I'd ever seen, and all her liquors were bottled in used water and juice bottles. It was nice to have this encounter since so much of our time had been spent in relatively touristy spots, where everything is prepackaged and orderly. We went back to our room to make dinner and get relaxed with our backwoods-peasant-lady-moonshine.
Easy summer fishing on Miljet.
There really were an endless supply of great sights on this leg of the trip. I didn't even get to the feral cat population, the squid incident, the monastery with the bomb hole, the Serbian-Croatian war crimes photo exhibit (WHOA), the ice cream proliferation, the bar on the rocks right on the ocean...But! I will leave you with this: a photo of a sunbather's butt. You're welcome!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Honeymoon, part 1
So, I've been sitting on a recap of the honeymoon for a few months. Ultimately, I think that this sort of trip is essentially a private experience, the first few weeks spent as husband and wife, and I'm sure nobody wants to hear the lovey-dovey details. But I do bet that people would be into seeing some of the amazing sights from all our destinations. AMSTERDAM
It lives up to the legend. Everyone rides a bike there from scrappy little kids to wobbly old ladies. I was immediately struck by how different the biking culture differed from the USA: everyone rides nice and slow, and they almost all ride cruiser bikes, so they sit upright and have the most amazing posture. I think I saw one rider with their pant-leg rolled up...everyone else was wearing cute outfits and the coolest shoes.
Cate, cats, cats! Amsterdam is replete with cats! They are under every nook and cranny, they are silky and sedate, they are AWESOME! I was in heaven, however Rob did find cause to poke fun at my desire to photograph every single street cat we came across.
The famed Vermeer light.
We were staying very near the Jordaan, and passed this doorway each morning. Nearly every house we passed had flowers bursting from the front entrance. The effect is that you feel like you are tip-toeing through some amazing secret garden every time you turn a corner. Another weird fact: Amsterdam residents feel totally ok with leaving all of their front curtains open. And since a lot of housing is on the street level, you have a bird's-eye view right into their lives. At first it's unnerving, and you feel like a creepy American tourist, but after a while you find yourself envious of all the cool interior design.
The Nationaal Monument (no, that's not a type-o)
Crazy Dutch pigeons do this.
Herons on the canal.
Rob caught me mid-bacon-and-apple-panakoken glory. God, that was a brilliant moment.
Even the dogs are amazing.
Getting tranquil on the canal.The time that we spent in Amsterdam was really peaceful and lazy. It was possible to wake up late, stroll down for a coffee (espresso, actually...boy did i state to miss 16oz cups of coffee) and just walk around the neighborhoods until the sun set. We had meals at a different spot each day, and took lots of beer breaks. The energy of the city put us at ease, and it was especially fun to rent bicycles and cover some new territory.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
You give me (Cabin) fever.
My grandparents-in-law recently offered me the use of their cabin for a girl's trip, and I a group of 7 of us went up last weekend for some badly needed partying and bonding. As the school year is approaching, and I'm getting totally burned out on serving, I really wanted some time where I wasn't staring balefully at my piles of books and notes and all the tedious Power Point presentations I've been fussing over...I needed a lot of laughs, nature, sleeping in, and just a touch of booze. Growing up in Florida, I never experienced the "cabin culture" that is so deeply ingrained here in Minnesota, and I don't think I've ever quite appreciated it the right way until this trip. Portia, Jenn, Kelsey, Kristina, Helen, Erika and myself really maxed out on the pontoon boat, the quiet of the lake and the trees, and all the cocktails we could mix up.
Everyone smile and say "Pontoon boat!"
Righteous mermaids.
Kelsey would not want me to write about the time when she wondered out loud if a bottle of beer would float in the lake...because it's full of liquid, right?...and then tossed a bottle into the water. It sank. Actually, a lot of beer was spilt that weekend. Just a little sacrifice to the party gods I guess!
hhrrmmmmm....yesssss.
A couple of dudes were paddling around the lake and asked us to tow them back in to shore. Jenn told them that they looked like they needed the exercise. Well, it was true! Sorry, but how hard is it to paddle a stupid little boat with your legs? Do they ask their girlfriends to carry them when they get tired of walking?
There were gorgeous ladies relaxing everywhere!
Things got a little silly, but it was fun to turn off the responsible woman part of our brains and act like little kids. We did speculate on whether or not guys get so ridiculous when they go on similar trips. Do they talk about their periods synching up, and banning all "feeling fat" talk, and getting in touch with, you know, their feelings? Do they have dogpiles inbetween margaritas and a game of "Apples to Apples?" They should!
Thank you girls, thank you for making it the best weekend in a long time!
Everyone smile and say "Pontoon boat!" 
Righteous mermaids.
Kelsey would not want me to write about the time when she wondered out loud if a bottle of beer would float in the lake...because it's full of liquid, right?...and then tossed a bottle into the water. It sank. Actually, a lot of beer was spilt that weekend. Just a little sacrifice to the party gods I guess!
hhrrmmmmm....yesssss.
A couple of dudes were paddling around the lake and asked us to tow them back in to shore. Jenn told them that they looked like they needed the exercise. Well, it was true! Sorry, but how hard is it to paddle a stupid little boat with your legs? Do they ask their girlfriends to carry them when they get tired of walking?
There were gorgeous ladies relaxing everywhere!
Things got a little silly, but it was fun to turn off the responsible woman part of our brains and act like little kids. We did speculate on whether or not guys get so ridiculous when they go on similar trips. Do they talk about their periods synching up, and banning all "feeling fat" talk, and getting in touch with, you know, their feelings? Do they have dogpiles inbetween margaritas and a game of "Apples to Apples?" They should!
Thank you girls, thank you for making it the best weekend in a long time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
