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Blatherskite

Foolish gibberish

  • AboutI am also known as CraftyMoni elsewhere on the web. I am a Children’s Librarian. I am a photographer. I am a knitter. I am a reader. I am a wannabe poet. I blog. Sometimes I complain. I like to swear. I have a really twisted sense of humor. I think I might be a Zen Buddhist (Still trying to decide). Not a fan of organized religion. I am very liberal and can be vocal about it at times. I’m a daydreamer. Sometimes sassy. I try to be compassionate. I think I’m pretty nice most of the time. You can delve into deeper waters by reading these posts. You can see my photography on my Flickr page. If you like any photos you see there or on this site and would like to buy a print let me know. I would be happy to sell one to you! I blather about library stuff on  Twitter. You will also find me on Google+ and Facebook. Enjoy your visit!  
  • Creative Folio
    • Photography
      • Pinhole
    • Writing
      • Poetry

recent posts

  • Indian Beach, Oregon Coast
  • Sun Flare
  • Oranges
  • Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice 2024
  • Heidelberg

about

I am a Children’s Librarian living in the Portland, Oregon area. When I am not Children’s Librianing I like to play with cameras and film. I also like playing the ukulele, knitting, sketching, and hiking.
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  • Roll 12 – my foray into large format pinhole photography

    Roll 12 – my foray into large format pinhole photography

    March 22, 2014

    My latest up on 52 rolls.

    Moni's avatar52 rolls

    For some insane reason I have had this bug to do large format pinhole photography and have been shopping around for cameras. I have also been interested in zone plate photography so, hands down, the Zero 45 won the in the “WANT” department. So when I came upon some extra cash I bought it! It was a birthday present to myself.

    http://instagram.com/p/lMDqStILAQ/

    Since my Zero 2000 has the same wide angle as the Zero 45 without an extension frame I added one to my setup. I thought it would be nice to mix things up a little bit and have options.

    My very generous friend Jeff sent me an amazingly awesome magazine contraption that holds six sheets of film! And I received a pack of Arista 100 for my birthday. So I was set!

    I spent the week trying out all of the various settings. I shot a couple with…

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  • In honor of World Poetry Day…

    In honor of World Poetry Day…

    March 21, 2014

    Last week I felt the kind of ache in my heart that can only be soothed by writing. I thought of Pablo Neruda and his beautiful, heart-breakingly sad poem and decided to record myself reading it. I learned a few minutes ago that today is World Poetry Day. I can’t think of a better thing to do than to post my recording from last week.

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  • Exciting things!

    Exciting things!

    March 20, 2014

    Contrary to how things look from the lack of activity on this blog, there has been lots going on! Lots of really great things. It all relates to photography, which is why it hasn’t been on this blog. I’ve been posting lots of that stuff on my photography blog. Also, I think I might have spread myself a bit thin in the blogging department because I am finding less time for personal blogging. Which is a shame because I miss Blatherskite. I am going to try to make more of an effort to update here. I am thinking that in April I will post everyday.

    I thought that today I would an update with some of the photography projects going on. The first of those things is my latest camera acquisition!

    http://instagram.com/p/lMDqStILAQ/

    It is a large format pinhole camera. Which means it is a camera that uses sheet film – 4×5 sized. It’s a whole new, exciting world for me! This camera is really great because it is so versatile. I can use 4×5 film but I can also put a back on it that takes medium format film as well.  This camera also has zone plate settings, which I am looking forward to playing with.  Last week I played with some 4×5 film – even developed it myself. You can read all  about my adventures here.

    The next exciting project is that I am finally going to build a darkroom in my apartment. This has been coming together really quickly and I’m super excited! My biggest hurdle with having my own darkroom has been lack of space. But last week my Twitter friend Jeff offered up a small, old, enlarger that he wasn’t using anymore.  I ended up being the lucky recipient of it! When he offered it all of a sudden the possibilty of a darkroom appeared in my mind and I could see how it could happen, and pretty easily. He sent me the enlarger’s dimensions and, sure enough, they worked for my small space. So off it went in the mail! I got it on Monday and put it together. It. is awesome.

    http://instagram.com/p/ltEGU8oLLm/

    It only takes 35mm negatives but that is just fine. It’s perfect for my postcard exchange project.  I am going to start collecting all of the things I will need to make this happen. It will be a temporary darkroom. I will set it up and take it down when not in use.

    I am going to blog about this project so stay tuned! I may even do a Youtube video about it too.

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  • Untitled post 19931
    March 18, 2014

    “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist though any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor How it compares with other expressions. It is  your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. “

    – Martha Graham

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  • This post comes with a soundtrack

    March 13, 2014
    The truth is behind the kale and yogurt.
    The truth is behind the kale and yogurt

    Several weeks ago someone on Facebook quoted someone on Twitter. The thought was something like, “Checking Facebook has become the equivalent of opening the refrigerator and staring into the void.”

    or something like that. I might have added to that thought.

    Have you ever done this? Opened the refrigerator and stared into it trying to find that one thing that will make you happy? You know what you want isn’t in the refrigerator. You finished off the chocolate cake an hour ago, remember?

    And relating this to Facebook is brilliant. It’s that compulsive checking of it that I have problems with. As if I am going to find something there that will be the Answer. And it is never there. That one thing is never there. Oh, there are tidbits scattered about. Chocolate cake, if you will. It gets devoured and then what? It’s gone. And you are left wanting more.

    This is such a great metaphor for life isn’t it? This is why we write, photograph, drink, etc. Check Facebook. Stare into the void of the refrigerator.

    This is why we ache.

    The song that accompanies this post is beautiful. I recommend you listen to it with headphones on  and turn it up. Don’t do anything else while you are listening. Just listen to it.

    Natasha Kmeto is from Portland and she is a musical genius. She makes her music by herself. This is all her. All of this. It’s incredible.

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