Love Photography? Take Instagram to a New Level. #JJ

Once upon a time, I used to spend hours and hours inside of a dark room. If I think about it long enough, I begin to smell the chemicals on my hands, in my clothes. Photography was a passion in what seemed like a long lost life of mine.

Enter Instagram.

At first, I began using it more as a social platform, not really for photography. I didn’t think it was for real photography. It seemed as if Instagram was more about the pre-teen selfie, or the monthly themes that included, well, different color selfies. “Here is me in pink!” “Here is me in red!” Course, I never participated in those. You see, I’m not a pre-teen or anywhere close to that quite frankly. In fact, my daughter was a little embarrassed when I first joined Instagram thinking that’s what I was about to do. I never did like myself on camera though, so her fear was definitely unfounded.

It just seemed Instagram wasn’t for me. I checked the “popular page” day after day, and other than a few very nice photos, it was mostly made up of, well, selfies. I just didn’t get it… that is of course, until I did.

This takes me to the day I first found an account run by some guy I never met across the country, Josh Johnson (@joshjohnson). It was about a year ago in fact. There was something different going on here. He had a HUGE amount of followers, which a lot of accounts (including many “selfie” ones) had, but it wasn’t all his own photos, and for the most part, not duck lips, unless they were actual ducks. It was indeed beautiful photography… but many different wonderful photographers. Some amateur, some not. Some beginners, some not. Some with thousands of followers, some with a couple hundred. Wow I thought… so this Instagram thing may just be for me! This was a community of people. People who admired one another’s work, admired one another’s spirit, became friends across countries and oceans through this passion I once had.

This community re-ignited it all for me. The smells of those chemicals on my hands came back. The thrill of the Enlarger was back once again in the front of my brain. Course, it’s different now. I don’t have a fancy camera. I don’t live in a dark room (or have access to one for that matter.) I have a phone. I have, now, editing apps on my phone that I find myself playing with hours on end. I’m seeing this world again like I used to, in different angels, in different light, in all it’s simplicity and intricacy, the moods, the beauty. I woke up. I remembered the thrill again. The passion had returned. I made a lot of new friends that share this same passion. All online. All on Instagram. Who knew? All this because of one single creative community of people, run by what turned out to be one pretty cool guy with some pretty cool team members including the wonderful Kevin Kuster, former Playboy Senior Photo Editor! (@kevinkuster) #jj was about to become a household word, at least in this house.

I tell you this story because I know there are so many of us out there that just haven’t found the outlet yet, and I want you to come join me! I want you to come check out @JoshJohnson on Instagram and join in the community. I tell you this now because at this moment, the @JoshJohnson has a contest going on that could win you, with your photo taken with that brand new state of art camera, or your little phone, a trip to Costa Rica to hang in a gorgeous place taking photos with people like you. I tell you this because if you have ever had this passion, you will not regret reigniting that flame.

To learn more about Josh Johnson, this community and the current contest, there is a wonderful interview with Josh Johnson and his comrade Kevin Kuster on The Trip Tribe Blog worth reading. Not only do you get a glimpse behind the man and his team that run this wonderful community, but it also explains how to participate and become a part of it all. (Including the trip contest of course.) Click the link above to read all about it!

Once you’re done, I expect to see you Instagram! Be sure to follow me and say hi! @TheKdd

Young Love…or is it?

FIRST OF ALL I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE I STARTED THE INTERNET DATING…
(Read More about my Internet Dating here)

Since then I have met the most wonderful guy. We have been talking for about a year and officially dating for about 6 months. My worst fear though has happened…I have fallen in love….now mind you, I have never ever ever been in a relationship nor have I been in love. But I think about this man all the time! I don’t know what to do! Should I go for it…should I tell him that I love him and risk a good thing by jumping the gun or what….

What do you think? Leave a comment below!

Liar! Are you a Good Liar?

Watch the video below (only a minute of your time) to see if you make a good liar, or, to test out your friends to see if they are.

According to Richard Wiseman in his new book 59 Seconds: Change Your Life in Under a Minute, this simple test shows whether you, or your friends are a good liar. Just be sure they haven’t seen the video as well.

Richard Wiseman is a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.

What are your results? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Where Is The Generation That Cares?

As a individual that has been in the education system for 3 years now, two years as an assistant and this being my first year with my own classroom, I have come to a very sad conclusion. Where is the generation that cares? Mind you, I am talking about my own generation 20s. As a first year Kindergarten teacher, I have found very little parental support or help in the home. My poor babies come to school in 6 degree weather with short sleeves and maybe a light jacket. I have children tell me that their parents don’t pay them any attention at home.

Where is the Generation that cares?

The one who would check backpacks first thing for any notes/homework from the teacher.

The one who helped their children with their sight words/homework.

The one who would send a snack for their babies’ class.

The one who would adequately clothe their child.

The one who would stand by the teacher in a disciplined matter.

 

Where is that Generation? Where have they gone?

What We’re Discussing/Arguing About in the Forum!

If you haven’t visited the Forum lately, you’re missing out!

We are currently:

Celebrating the latest Wacky Holiday of the Day, National Puzzle Day! Have you done your puzzle yet?

The Duck Dynasty Debacle, favorite show and awesome guy or, well, not?

The Grammy’s. Did you watch? Did you love it? Hate it? Is Mr. Thicke a little creepy? Should Taylor have sat down?

Justin Bieber. Petition to Deport?

House of Cards, Sherlock, status of what could be your favorite TV shows, specials and more!

So, what are you waiting for? Get on in here and let your voice be heard!

 

NBC Announces Next LIVE Broadway Production: “Peter Pan LIVE!”

On the heels of an extremely successful showing for “The Sound of Music LIVE!” starring Carrie Underwood, Laura Benanti, Christian Borle and Stephen Moyer, the execs over at NBC announced Sunday at the Television Critics Association tour that they have plans for another holiday special production.

300px-PeterPan-SandyDuncanTaking flight on December 4, 2014, NBC presents “Peter Pan LIVE!” a new TV version of the James M. Barrie’s revered musical. NBC President Robert Greenblatt stated that producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who produced “The Sound of Music Live!” will again executive produce the production. Per the official release, casting is currently “on a fast track.”

“The Sound of Music Live!” that starred Carrie Underwood averaged a phenomenal 5.6 rating in adults 18-49 and 22 million viewers overall in the live-plus-7 totals from its Dec. 5 telecast.

“We’re very pleased to be underway on ‘Peter Pan’ as our next live holiday musical for the whole family,” said Greenblatt. “We were all delighted to see how ‘The Sound of Music Live!’ struck such a chord in December and brought nearly 19 million people to the live telecast plus another several million viewers over the weekend. In the hopes that lightning strikes twice, we think we’ve landed on another great Broadway musical — which ironically also starred Mary Martin — that is a timeless classic for all audiences, young and old, who just never want to grow up.”

“We’re thrilled to be reteaming with NBC and Bob Greenblatt in bringing ‘Peter Pan’ back to its roots as a live television event,” said Zadan and Meron. “We hope to create the joy that has made this musical so beloved. We would like a whole new generation to experience ‘Peter Pan’ and for families across the country to share the magic.”

Greenblatt did state that Peter Pan will likely be a male, unlike the original Broadway production which starred women in the leading role.

Who would you like to see star in the upcoming production?

2014 Oscar Nominations: “American Hustle” and “Gravity” Lead The Pack

oscars“12 Years A Slave” garnered just one nomination less than “Gravity” and “American Hustle” who both lead the Oscar nominations with 10 nominations apiece. “Nebraska,” “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Captain Phillips” garnered six nominations each.

The full list of nominations can be found below. The Oscars air LIVE from Hollywood on Sunday March 2 at 7/6c on ABC with host Ellen DeGeneres!

Best Picture:

“American Hustle”

“Captain Phillips”

“Dallas Buyers Club”

“Gravity”

“Her”

“Nebraska”

“Philomena”

“12 Years a Slave”

“The Wolf of Wall Street”

Best Supporting Actor:

Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips”

Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle”

Jonah Hill, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”

Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

Best Supporting Actress:

Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”

Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”

Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”

Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”

June Squibb, “Nebraska”

Best Director:

David O. Russell, “American Hustle”

Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”

Alexander Payne, “Nebraska”

Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”

Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor:

Christian Bale, “American Hustle”

Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”

Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”

Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyer’s Club”

Best Actress:

Amy Adams, “American Hustle”

Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”

Sandra Bullock, “Gravity”

Judi Dench, “Philomena”

Meryl Streep, “August: Osage County”

Best Original Screenplay:

“American Hustle”

“Blue Jasmine”

“Dallas Buyers Club”

“Her”

“Nebraska”

Best Adapted Screenplay:

“Before Midnight”

“Captain Phillips”

“Philomena”

“12 Years a Slave”

“The Wolf Of Wall Street”

Best Animated Feature:

“The Croods”

“Despicable Me 2”

“Ernest & Celestine”

“Frozen”

“The Wind Rises”

Best Foreign Feature:

“The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Belgium

“The Great Beauty,” Italy

“The Hunt,” Denmark

“The Missing Picture,” Cambodia

“Omar,” Palestine

Best Visual Effects:

“Gravity”

“The Hobbit: The Desolation”

“Iron Man 3”

“The Lone Ranger”

“Star Trek Into Darkness”

Best Cinematography:

“The Grandmaster”

“Gravity”

“Inside Llewyn Davis”

“Nebraska”

“Prisoners”

Best Costume Design:

“American Hustle”

“The Grandmaster”

“The Great Gatsby”

“The Invisible Woman”

“12 Years a Slave”

Best Documentary Feature:

“The Act of Killing”

“Cutie and the Boxer”

“Dirty Wars”

“The Square”

“20 Feet from Stardom”

Best Documentary Short:

“CaveDigger”

“Facing Fear”

“Karama Has No Walls”

“The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life”

“Prisoner Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall”

Best Film Editing:

“American Hustle”

“Captain Phillips”

“Dallas Buyers Club”

“Gravity”

“12 Years a Slave”

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

“Dallas Buyers Club”

“Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”

“The Lone Ranger”

Best Music (Original Score):

“The Book Thief”

“Gravity”

“Her”

“Philomena”

“Saving Mr. Banks”

Best Music (Original Song):

“Alone Yet Not Alone” from “Alone Yet Not Alone”

“Happy” from “Despicable Me”

“Let It Go” from “Frozen”