MILLing about: Downtown Nashville

The same day Heather and I trekked around the Marathon Village we spent a little time downtown. I definitely need a super-duper wide angle lens. Or, I need the trees to go away and I need to be able to walk on water. That's the only way I can get far enough away to get all that I need/want in a shot. 

Anyways, here are a few shots that I don't hate:

MILLing about: the Marathon Village

Nashville has a lot of old structures. I love old buildings. Especially when they have had little work done to them. A few weeks ago I took a co-worker along for some picture taking (thanks, Heather!). We spent most of our time at the old Marathon Automobiles building. It was quite cool and we were surprised to find that part of it is in use.

So, we know that Marathon was open from 1907 - 1914. We assumed that was the year it was built as well, but later I noticed another part of the building that read 1881. Either way, this is an old building.

Not sure why I think this is cool, but I like it.

I love old signs. We came across a little cut out area with a gate that had lots of signs stored away. I was tempted to sneak one away, but resisted... for now.

Unfortunately, the back part of the building has collapsed. Kinda a lot collapsed.

That's all. I didn't get any pictures on the LONG drive there. Pretty sure we circled the place a time or two before finding it. Nor did I get pictures of the hearse graveyard across the street (sorry, Heather).

weekend MILLiseconds

• Baby Baker: Does February 6 sound like a good day to enter this world?
• Charlie: Great show at the Bluebird. 
• Jodie: Congrats on making the draft. AND on being drafted before that nasty Calathes kid
• Ocoee River: Whatcha got for me today?

Acrylic Revolution

Next time I visit the art store I have many supplies to pick up. This book has excellent tips and tricks for acrylic painting! Things I never thought of or had seen, but didn't know how to accomplish. I'm learning how to add texture, mix different mediums for different effects, and plenty of other fun things. I can't wait to try some of them out when I get some free time (which has been non-existent lately). Look for some more interesting/unique paintings coming soon. 

...but don't hold your breath. I sometimes give up on things before I ever begin. It's who I am. Deal with it.

The end.

the FASHion Mill 1.5

Remember Elizabeth and Seth from a few posts back? As a wedding gift I painted for them. 

Here's what they got:

The splatter part was fun. I definitely enjoyed it.

MILLwork for food: the Stallings

The Stallings are one of my favorite families in Nashville and not just because they feed me! Their generosity is amazing and Quinn is quite the entertaining little one. We spent a some time at a local park to get a few family pics. Quinn was way more interested in the playground itself than the camera, but I think we made it work!

weekend MILLiseconds

• Bowling Green Gang- Can't wait to get my rafting on with you guys next week
• Jodie Meeks- Your 54 point performance will remain one of my favorite UK moments. Good luck in the NBA.

a MILLion stories to share 1.4

I've never been fond of autographs. I've never understood how scribbling black ink onto something could ADD value to it. I've never believed that any name could be worth so much. 

Yesterday, that changed.

Julie Roberts, in the middle of her last song, headed into the stands where the women were seated. Women from various paths in life that had all found themselves inside the women's prison in Nashville for one reason or another. She had chosen songs of despair, hope, and encouragement. Songs that the women could relate to and understand. Songs they could sing along to. A few of them didn't hesitate to reach out a pen and paper for her to sign. That simple signature would be a lasting reminder of that day. That there were women who had walked that path, but had found their way home. 

Magdalene is a 2-year residential community for women with a history of drug abuse and prostitution in Nashville founded by Becca Stevens, an Abingdon Press author. Women from the program, along with Becca, her husband Marcus Hummon, and Julie visited the prison to offer encouraging, truthful words. Several of the Magdalene women read from Find Your Way Home: Words From the Street, Wisdom From the Heart while Julie and Marcus played a few tunes. 

Marcus closed the event with a song that he wrote, one that you've probably heard. Rascal Flatts made it famous and weddings across the country have worn it out. Bless the Broken Road took on a whole new meaning for me as I sat amongst the crowd and remembered that it was only grace that had kept me from walking a similar path.

It was truly something remarkable to be a part of. I can't imagine having spent 15+ years of my life working the streets and being addicted to drugs or the road to recovery from these things. It was humbling. Encouraging. Inspiring. Motivating.

Although I am the publicist for Abingdon Press, this is not a cheap attempt to promote an author or title. The women of Magdalene (and Thistle Farms) serve as proof that love heals. Check out their stories and their products. And, if you want, buy the book! ;)

Some days, I love my job...

MILLwork for food: the Wilson's (post #4)

Here are a few pics from the ceremony/reception.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of his bride!

(when I'm taking pictures, the face game will always be included)

Thanks Elizabeth and Seth! Had a great time. Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon!

MILLwork for food: the Wilson's (post #3)

Elizabeth (the bride), along with the bridesmaids, flowers girls, and ring bearers, got ready at the Houchen's Center near in Bowling Green. It's an old house near downtown that made a great setting. Getting pictures of the kids was not an easy task. There were few smiles, but we had fun anyways.

...one more post on its way.

MILLwork for food: the Wilson's (post #2)

There were two "photographers" (I use that term loosely for myself) on the scene during Elizabeth and Seth's wedding. I spent most of my time following the bride and her maids around! Great dresses. Great colors. Great girls.

...we're not done yet...

MILLwork for food: the Wilson's (post #1)

This weekend I had the pleasure of following around a friend on her wedding day! 

Here are some shots of the details... 

...stayed tuned...

weekend MILLiseconds

• Elizabeth Moore- this is the last time that will be your name. are you ready to play on the playground in a white dress?! I hope the rain stays away...


• Jim and Sabrina- stop updating Facebook while you're on the beach and I'm stuck in my cubicle


• Wendy, Emmett, and Quinn- see you guys tomorrow! can't wait

• Kid Rock- Loved seeing you at the CMA Vault concert last night. The high schoolers in front of me who were too young to know your "Cowboy" song thank you also
  

suggestion box

I'm working on a "signature" for my photos.

or this:

Whaddaya think?

On a photo it would look like this:

Maybe a little bigger than that. Turns out this image is like 40 inches tall! No clue how or why that happened. We're learning as we go here, people!

I also thought about a water mill, but I haven't figured out Illustrator, I don't have a stylus, and I was barely able to create that simple little windmill. Yikes. It's too daunting a task.

Thoughts?

MILLigrams: FOOD

(I've only been blogging for about a month and a half. I've been taking pictures much longer than that. "MILLigrams" postings will be older pictures that I feel are worth highlighting.)

My sister is really good at hosting. I'm really good at arranging the table differently to get the best shot.

Fruit pizza. It may be more fun making it than eating it. Really.

You can never go wrong with chocolate covered strawberries. Ever.

the fASHion Mill 1.4

I finished "the lady"

Well, almost. I still want to add a border around her. 

She isn't perfect, but I think that's okay.

MILLing about: Nashville (w/Carly)

Carly spontaneously came to visit this weekend. We decided to go wander around the town a bit since it was gorgeous outside. I, of course, took my camera along.

If you look closely you can see her reflection on the track. Total accident.

I've never seen this "statue" before. It's across the river at LP Field, where I've been many times. Strange. Got a few cool pictures with this thing. This one's my favorite. I think.

But, I also like this one:

The sun was definitely to the right of us (see below picture for proof), but this new building going up far off to the left of the batman building was reflecting light in both pictures. Lame.

Photomerge has become one of my favorite things to do in photoshop. It's so smart.

weekend Milliseconds

• Emo- You're getting married in ONE WEEK! Holy cow. Can't wait!
• Bo- Congrats on being an uncle!
• Liv- Welcome back to the states. Got any pictures of giraffes doing funny things in the wild?
• Courtney, Dwight, and J.J.- I'm gonna need to see a better game out of you guys. Got it?

the rumor MILL 1.1 (continued)

So after yesterday's post I remembered a class photo that I had from Kindergarten! Around Thanksgiving our class turned paper sacks into vests and used yarn and some type of othe paper material to make headbands with braids.

Eric, Raquel, and I are all hanging out at the end of a row.

Now, that's what I call recycling!

I can name about half of the people in this photo. Most of us went on to middle and high school's together. If you look next to Raquel, you'll see my favorite cousin, Paul (Bo-Bo), has his braids on too!

The end.

the rumor MILL 1.1

Rumor has it... the guys (and gals) over at allanglesphotography do some pretty amazing work. Recently they did a shoot with a couple whose wedding I was in two years ago-Melinda and Derrick Jeffries.

I've known Melinda for a lot of years. I spent one summer at her house diving for coins in the pool, making mud pies, and burying a time capsule. It's been great to watch her grow up into the beautiful lady that she is! There are SO many stories I could tell, but I won't.


Here's the best/only picture that I could find on short notice (Derrick, sorry for leaving you out). Melinda's the one on the left:



I go even further back with the faces behind allanglesphotography. Brian and Eric are brothers married to Raquel and Elizabeth, respectively. Eric, Raquel and I were in Kindergarten together!

I also had the privilege of being in Brian and Raquel's wedding:



Again, lots of stories, some sworn to secrecy. All I gotta say is I'm a true friend, right Rock?!?!


Anyways, check out their work. They're way more advanced than me! If you live in/around Louisville I bet they would love to shoot your engagement or wedding!


Love all you guys! Can't wait to see more.


(There are lots of uses of there, their, and they're. Hope I got 'em all right)