shift
27/7/25 11:41![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarpsychedelicEditing pictures while listening to the next MC album on the list.
My current photo fixation is creating a tilt-shift effect. Of course the best way to achieve that look is with an actual lens on a camera. The next best technique is working with selective blur.
Of the ones I’ve worked on so far, these are my favorites, both taken in Griffith Park.
Train display at Travel Town:
View of traffic on the 210 freeway from a hill:
This effect works if you focus on specific objects.
My current photo fixation is creating a tilt-shift effect. Of course the best way to achieve that look is with an actual lens on a camera. The next best technique is working with selective blur.
Of the ones I’ve worked on so far, these are my favorites, both taken in Griffith Park.
Train display at Travel Town:
View of traffic on the 210 freeway from a hill:
This effect works if you focus on specific objects.
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MC2
26/7/25 12:34solarpsychedelicEmotions - September 17, 1991
More of that classic 80s style production. Still Adult Contemporary but there’s more sophistication and variation.
The lead single still slaps. That’s when pop music was uplifting and fun. (Grandpa Simpson yells at clouds energy.)
At this time, I was starting a chapter in life… that didn’t work out. I remember the “Emotions” video but that’s about it. However, during the recent listen “Can’t Let Go” stood out as very familiar. It’s giving… a restaurant or bookstore I visited during that time. Vague memories of sitting in a cafeteria style restaurant while surrounded by soaring vocals. A beautiful song, sounds like there’s even a whistle register duet/layer?
“You’re So Cold” is a very cool song. I think this is the first time I heard her voice’s deeper register.
“The Wind” was a classy closer. Definitely can hear the jazz influence. Maybe Modern Jazz Quartet?
If I wanted to recommend an early-era MC album to someone, it would be this one.
More of that classic 80s style production. Still Adult Contemporary but there’s more sophistication and variation.
The lead single still slaps. That’s when pop music was uplifting and fun. (Grandpa Simpson yells at clouds energy.)
At this time, I was starting a chapter in life… that didn’t work out. I remember the “Emotions” video but that’s about it. However, during the recent listen “Can’t Let Go” stood out as very familiar. It’s giving… a restaurant or bookstore I visited during that time. Vague memories of sitting in a cafeteria style restaurant while surrounded by soaring vocals. A beautiful song, sounds like there’s even a whistle register duet/layer?
“You’re So Cold” is a very cool song. I think this is the first time I heard her voice’s deeper register.
“The Wind” was a classy closer. Definitely can hear the jazz influence. Maybe Modern Jazz Quartet?
If I wanted to recommend an early-era MC album to someone, it would be this one.
A walk to Dothill
26/7/25 12:35cmcmck posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
common_natureDothill is on the moorland side of town and is an interesting combo of marshland, wetland and lakes.
This path takes you in once you walk through Donnerville Spinney to get there:
( More pics! )
This path takes you in once you walk through Donnerville Spinney to get there:
( More pics! )
MC1
25/7/25 17:02solarpsychedelicHere we go, on with the review project!
Mariah Carey - June 11, 1990
The first one! Definitely in her Adult Contemporary era but dang, that late 80s production is tight. I can feel the drum machine. And the whistle register has entered the chat.
At that time I was in college, working a retail job, and taking summer classes especially to get that “science for jocks and stoners” class out of the way.
Since I spent my working and social time at various malls, I was aware of this album in constant play in the background. While listening, I could recall the restaurants, department stores, record stores, and gift stores that would have played this over the PA.
The tracks sound familiar, something woven into my daily life. Upbeat, fun songs to bop by.
Mariah Carey - June 11, 1990
The first one! Definitely in her Adult Contemporary era but dang, that late 80s production is tight. I can feel the drum machine. And the whistle register has entered the chat.
At that time I was in college, working a retail job, and taking summer classes especially to get that “science for jocks and stoners” class out of the way.
Since I spent my working and social time at various malls, I was aware of this album in constant play in the background. While listening, I could recall the restaurants, department stores, record stores, and gift stores that would have played this over the PA.
The tracks sound familiar, something woven into my daily life. Upbeat, fun songs to bop by.
Starvation Falls
25/7/25 17:36yourlibrarian posting in common_nature
Our last waterfall of the trip, Starvation Falls. Smaller than the others with a little creek running down near the parking lot.
( Read more... )
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MC album reviews
25/7/25 08:46solarpsychedelicLike I did after I read Britney’s bio, I listened to MC’s discography after finishing her book.
Also, I need a positive hobby right now and discography deep dives help.
What will follow are personal, rambling reviews to each Mariah album.
And yes, it's a nice way to count down to her September release of Here For It All.
Also, I need a positive hobby right now and discography deep dives help.
What will follow are personal, rambling reviews to each Mariah album.
And yes, it's a nice way to count down to her September release of Here For It All.
🎵 🎸 🤘
23/7/25 16:28solarpsychedelicMC is the queen of collaborations and re-mixes and… knowing that she was friends with Ozzy, can you imagine how awesome that collab would have been?
July Views
23/7/25 18:21yourlibrarian1) icontalking is looking for people to ask questions of their icon making volunteers who stepped forward to talk about icon making and share tutorials as so far they don't have any 😟
In similar "let's chat about fanworks" is the launch offan_writers which includes links to tutorials and meta about writing.
2) In shows I largely skipped through, Gotham season 5 finished in a place everyone might expect. I always found Gotham more interesting in ideas than execution. ( Read more... )
Did watch all of Hacks season 2 and felt rewarded for that. The last few episodes took it where the audience wanted to go and it felt really satisfying (perhaps one of the best uses of Goodbye Stranger in a finale). Also sadly true to life about women having to gamble on themselves when no one else will, as the Julia series is also revealing. Still only a few episodes in so perhaps more later on that one.
3) Also watched an episode of Otter Dynasty but wasn't keen on its first person voices and it just seemed rather repetitive. It was, however, revealing to me about what I enjoy about nature shows. ( Read more... )
In other animal related shows, I've been watching Dog House, a UK show about a dog adoption center. Am into S2 since who doesn't want to see a variety of dogs finding homes?
4) In Case Number 101 about why AI can in no way replace competent workers: Red Lobster. ( Read more... )
5) Watched episode 4.2 of Brokenwood Mysteries and had a pretty good idea of the murderer early on so the real Mystery was of the pixelated arrow. The victim died of an arrow to the forehead, yet bizarrely the arrow was sometimes pixelated and sometimes not and in some shots had been completely erased so that we were looking at a victim with no injury at all! This went on through the entire episode as we saw her in flashbacks. We could not figure out what the purpose of this was since the episode began with us watching her be shot with the arrow so if it was to spare the squeamish this would have been the part to cut!
icontalking is looking for people to ask questions of their icon making volunteers who stepped forward to talk about icon making and share tutorials as so far they don't have any 😟In similar "let's chat about fanworks" is the launch of
fan_writers which includes links to tutorials and meta about writing. 2) In shows I largely skipped through, Gotham season 5 finished in a place everyone might expect. I always found Gotham more interesting in ideas than execution. ( Read more... )
Did watch all of Hacks season 2 and felt rewarded for that. The last few episodes took it where the audience wanted to go and it felt really satisfying (perhaps one of the best uses of Goodbye Stranger in a finale). Also sadly true to life about women having to gamble on themselves when no one else will, as the Julia series is also revealing. Still only a few episodes in so perhaps more later on that one.
3) Also watched an episode of Otter Dynasty but wasn't keen on its first person voices and it just seemed rather repetitive. It was, however, revealing to me about what I enjoy about nature shows. ( Read more... )
In other animal related shows, I've been watching Dog House, a UK show about a dog adoption center. Am into S2 since who doesn't want to see a variety of dogs finding homes?
4) In Case Number 101 about why AI can in no way replace competent workers: Red Lobster. ( Read more... )
5) Watched episode 4.2 of Brokenwood Mysteries and had a pretty good idea of the murderer early on so the real Mystery was of the pixelated arrow. The victim died of an arrow to the forehead, yet bizarrely the arrow was sometimes pixelated and sometimes not and in some shots had been completely erased so that we were looking at a victim with no injury at all! This went on through the entire episode as we saw her in flashbacks. We could not figure out what the purpose of this was since the episode began with us watching her be shot with the arrow so if it was to spare the squeamish this would have been the part to cut!
Poll #33407 Kudos Footer-531
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📸
23/7/25 14:51solarpsychedelicAnother experiment with adding infrared effects to a plain photo. I was inspired by pictures of trees and vegetation that were either snowy, glowy white or light pink.
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💾
23/7/25 11:09solarpsychedelicI listen to podcasts and YouTubers while I’m working out, cleaning, and making meals. My latest thing is listening to Gen Z and younger Millennial advice girlies.
They have helpful things to say, especially about social media since they’ve had to navigate it from a younger age than I did.
As a chronically online person, I’m reflecting on how participating in this historical stage of communication technology has affected me.
While I still fee the utopian vibes of the early internet, there’s no doubt the online experience has gotten dreary, you know, entshittified.
They have helpful things to say, especially about social media since they’ve had to navigate it from a younger age than I did.
As a chronically online person, I’m reflecting on how participating in this historical stage of communication technology has affected me.
While I still fee the utopian vibes of the early internet, there’s no doubt the online experience has gotten dreary, you know, entshittified.
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carnivorous pitcher plant
23/7/25 12:00pauraque posting in common_natureWhile hiking in a conserved wetland, I saw an informational sign about native pitcher plants. I had no idea we had these in New England; I always thought of carnivorous plants as a tropical thing. But I took a look around and they were certainly there!
This appears to be Sarracenia purpurea which has a lot of names in English, including Common Pitcher Plant. The specialized leaves form cup-shaped traps with nectar at the bottom that attracts bugs, which can't escape and are digested to provide nutrition for the plant. In this species the traps sit on the ground, and I don't know if I would have noticed them if I hadn't been looking.
( pitcher plant flower and habitat (2 photos) )
This appears to be Sarracenia purpurea which has a lot of names in English, including Common Pitcher Plant. The specialized leaves form cup-shaped traps with nectar at the bottom that attracts bugs, which can't escape and are digested to provide nutrition for the plant. In this species the traps sit on the ground, and I don't know if I would have noticed them if I hadn't been looking.
( pitcher plant flower and habitat (2 photos) )
🎸 🎵 🤘
22/7/25 12:32solarpsychedelicOh wow, just checked the news and Ozzy has passed away
Memories! While growing up, I certainly knew about his music and his antics. He was one of the people I thought would live forever. Amazingly enough, he held out for one more performance.
Rest in gloom, sweet dark prince!
kites in the sky
22/7/25 20:22turlough posting in common_natureThe only birds of prey I see here in my tiny town in south-eastern Sweden are Red Kites (Milvus milvus). They're usually soaring far too high up and away over the forest to get acceptable photos of. This morning however a pair was kind enough to come down low enough I could take ( these... )
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Birds in Flight
21/7/25 18:13yourlibrarian posting in common_nature
I interrupt my travel series to share some photos from the last months of birds. This barn swallow was caught almost by accident as it headed off, coming towards us in the parking lot.
( Read more... )
🎵
21/7/25 08:36solarpsychedelicDidn’t feel too well yesterday so after doing the necessary tasks, I went back to bed to sleep some more and then listen to music.
Since I was talking about MC’s book, I wanted to mention my favorite songs and albums of hers.
Favorite songs: “The Roof,” “Butterfly,” “Shake it Off,” “Stay the Night”
Favorite albums: The Emancipation of Mimi, E=MC2, and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.
The pattern here is I prefer the albums that happened after she was finally able to shift away from Adult Contemporary to a more authentic and personalized R&B/Hip Hop style.
I especially like “The Roof.” The song always seemed somehow unique and now that I know the backstory, I appreciate the song that much more.
Sunshine Challenge #6
20/7/25 17:21yourlibrarian1) I have not been keeping up with the challenges given other things going on, but this one grabbed me: What games do you play, if any? Are you a solo-gamer or do you view games as a social activity? ( Read more... )
2) I've been watching a bunch of things on Max, mostly biographies. I found the Jaws 50 year anniversary documentary interesting as, while I remember the film I've never seen it.
In bios I finished Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed which was a fair amount of surface stuff. ( Read more... )
3) In movies, saw Shazam fury of the gods which was pretty meh, as it just seemed rather predictable. Also watched Traitor which was a lot more interesting in terms of the undercover spy story. Then saw the Batman Lego movie which was 30 minutes too long (tedious final battle section) but was otherwise entertaining, particularly in all its pop culture references. ( Read more... )
4) In TV series, I ended up skipping through most of The New Pope just as I had The Young Pope. It just felt rather repetitive. Also watched The Investigation, a Danish production focused on the police activity finding evidence for the actual case of a murdered journalist aboard a submarine. ( Read more... )
5) Continuing to post trip photos tocommon_nature, the latest being our stay in Hood River
2) I've been watching a bunch of things on Max, mostly biographies. I found the Jaws 50 year anniversary documentary interesting as, while I remember the film I've never seen it.
In bios I finished Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed which was a fair amount of surface stuff. ( Read more... )
3) In movies, saw Shazam fury of the gods which was pretty meh, as it just seemed rather predictable. Also watched Traitor which was a lot more interesting in terms of the undercover spy story. Then saw the Batman Lego movie which was 30 minutes too long (tedious final battle section) but was otherwise entertaining, particularly in all its pop culture references. ( Read more... )
4) In TV series, I ended up skipping through most of The New Pope just as I had The Young Pope. It just felt rather repetitive. Also watched The Investigation, a Danish production focused on the police activity finding evidence for the actual case of a murdered journalist aboard a submarine. ( Read more... )
5) Continuing to post trip photos to
common_nature, the latest being our stay in Hood RiverPoll #33381 Kudos Footer-530
This poll is anonymous.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6
Want to leave a Kudos?
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📘🎵
19/7/25 10:03solarpsychedelicMy most recent read was Mariah Carey’s autobiography, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I always knew Mariah was phenomenally talented and that dealing with the music industry is hard. But I didn’t know much about her background or the extent of her struggles and now my respect has gone up for her a hundredfold.
She deserves all of her flowers.
As I go through my own struggles, I admit I’ve been dealing with too much cynicism and demands to “be realistic.”
It’s at this point that art is at its most healing.
Hood River
18/7/25 20:06yourlibrarian posting in common_nature
Our destination for day 2 was Hood River. We loved this spot, both because of the view and the convenience of its location, parking and our rooms over the breakfast area.
This photo was the view from one of our rooms. It was not only a pretty view but one that changed all day long, as people at the inlet end point took kayaking, paddleboard and canoeing classes. I'd never seen a motorized paddleboard before but they were in use too, along with jet skis out on the river and parasailers.
We also got to watch birds diving for food, and trains and cargo barges go by on the river. We even saw a cruise ship once!
( Read more... )
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