In early 2009, I went to the cabin, in the woods, in Tennessee. With me were my parents (George and Sharon), Warren’s parents (Peter & Carol) and, of course, Warren. When six people share one space for 4 days, one of two things could potentially happen. One, they could feel trapped and proceed to infiltrate the space with negativity and general unpleasantness. Or, two, they could embrace the chance to get to know each other and learn more about one another. Happily, it was number two in this scenario. Warren brought along enough musical equipment to write and record if the mood struck, and boy did it strike! Every few hours he’d go up into the loft, bang out a tune, and then come back downstairs and join the rest of us for a while. I loved that he felt comfortable enough to listen to his musical need and go do what was natural for him to do. No one minded that he would, occasionally, and without warning, just go upstairs and not come back for a few hours. It was great! I even had the inspiration from those few songs to write stories to them as I previewed them in Warren’s headphones. A few of those turned out to be on the new album (which will be released in early to mid-2010), and were written from such a pure place. For me, as the lyricist, it was immediate reaction to the music that inspired the vision in my head. That, in turn, made the words flood out in story form rather than lyrics. We let those “cook” once we came back home and they became yet another form of Warren’s original piece. That’s one of my fondest musical memories of the year… working with Warren in a cabin in the woods, and then again at home with new inspiration for music. It really is powerful to create music away from your usual environment. There was something very pure and special about the whole process. It was beautiful.

So, we all chatted, played games, cooked together and just enjoyed time as six individuals, learning more about each other. Mummy Carol with her crosswords and books, Papa Peter with all of his questions and stories, and all of us just enjoying the company and the quiet of the woods. I immensely enjoyed my Dad teaching me how to play Poker, and not doing a bad job at all, I must say! In recent years, I’ve become very close with my Mom and always jump on any chance to get a little closer with my Dad. I was happy for that time. I’ll take more of that, please! I’m excited to say that we get to do the cabin thing again in early 2010. Wheeee!!! Who knows what this visit will bring? That’s part of the fun. No one knows.

In non-musical news, I did manage to finish a second draft of my novel-in-progress, “Days with Indigo”, before the mad rush of the holiday season. My goal is to release the book mid-2010. Completing the final draft is a bit slower than I’d like, but it’s progress nonetheless. I’ve posted many updates on the book, so I’m not going to ramble even more at this point. All I will say is that the feedback I’ve received from some volunteer readers (one finished the book and the second is currently reading it now) is very positive at this juncture in the draft. The scary thing is, I think I may have managed to actually write a good story! I can’t tell anymore. After reading and re-reading it so many times, the story is a little lost on me. But, the feedback is good! To have actually done this much really makes me feel great about accomplishing something of my own, on my own. Speaking as a person who usually has so many “ideas”, and doesn’t see many of them come to fruition, it’s a shock to the system to have come this far on something I simply wanted to “try”. Try, I did.

In non-HL music news, I fell deeply, happily in love with Fever Ray. This was all thanks to a twitter posting from Imogen Heap (another music love of mine, and Warren’s) who had mentioned how cool the video “When I Grow Up” was. I knew this woman had talent way beyond the usual musical realm. Her music comes from somewhere deep, hidden, beautiful and weird. And, the funny thing about me is, I usually LOVE to sing along with artists in the car. However, with Fever Ray, I just want to hear her voice and the music. She makes me shut up. She makes me listen. She makes me wonder. Then, the opportunity to go see her perform in Chicago presented itself. We jumped at the chance! We met up with our friend Sam, and some of his friends, in Chicago and had a great time before, and during, the show. I just adore being able to spend time with friends that I don’t get to see very often. I think the show was made all the more special because of who we saw it with. It was a lovely experience. Lovely memories. Music has such power, no?

You know, I nearly forgot that Warren and I saw Tori Amos again! After Fever Ray, all past performances kinda fell away from memory for a while. I absolutely LOVE Tori, but I must admit that I preferred seeing her with just her pianos at a previous concert. The 2009 show was definitely more of a “rock” performance, complete with a full band, and seemed more showy than I was used to with Miss Amos. It was great, but I did find myself ready to leave before the end. All in all, I love whatever she does. She’s a HUGE inspiration of mine, and I admire her greatly. My own fault was that I didn’t allow the show to be its own experience. I expected what I saw before. Have I learned nothing over the last few years? No two performances are ever the same. Nor should they be. What a silly girl!

Then, we got to go to England! We stayed with Warren’s sister, Tracy, and her husband Tony. Such a great pair of crazy kids! I could totally see living there in the future. No problem whatsoever! It was so nice to troll about the South Shore, Tony at the helm, taking piccies-a-plenty and enjoying time with T&T, being so silly and having more fun than should be legal! It’s just so lovely to have such common ground with people and not be afraid to be myself. I can’t even describe how I felt while I was there. It was so lovely. I absolutely adored it. Every moment was a treasure. Best of all, Warren got some time with his sister. That’s always a welcome treat. It’s so lovely to see, too. Since I was the part-time “car wife”, as Tony called it, Warren and Tracy sat in the back seat together when we went on car trips (I get insane car sickness, so Tracy happily gave me the front seat. Thanks, Trace!) and they would chatter about together, like kids. Cute doesn’t touch it. It was extraordinary. I could really go on and on about that trip. Again, I want more of that, please!

The holidays have come and gone with much visiting of family from near and far. We had multiple gatherings for November and December. No stone left unturned. I have a large family. It takes a friggin’ village to get us all together! Actually, we ARE the village! Martin’s, Harrison’s, and all he branches in between. We met briefly, laughed and loved, and will hold that moment in time for a little while until we see each other again. As my Aunt Tommie said earlier this year, “All this because two people fell in love all those years ago.” It’s so easy to forget the simple things like that once people are gone. They are the reason we are here. We will always be tied together. Always.

On a more personal note, I turned 35 this year. I don’t know what power this number has, but things are happening to me that I didn’t expect. I almost believe there’s been a switch turned inside my brain. In point of fact, inside my heart. I feel different within myself. I feel, well, like a more concentrated version of myself. The ideas I have are actually becoming something other than just ideas. They’re becoming physical things I can see, hear and touch. I’m not complaining. I find the whole thing rather fascinating! I don’t want to die not doing what I intended with my life. I’m only just now understanding that my purpose in life is to tell stories. Whether that be in music, books, photos, films, whatever. I need a vehicle to tell a story, and I have many within my grasp. How cool! If I want to say something, now is the time! Now’s my chance!

Also, with 35 I realized I wasn’t the physical “me” I wanted to be, nor what I used to be in my younger days. Who says Vegetarians can’t be unhealthy? I’m a pasta addict. Bread, too! So, I’m trimming down and staying a whole hell of a lot more active! Then, I decided, after much debating, to chop my hair off again. It had been many, many years since I’d done this, so I figured why not? Plus, I’d colored it earlier in the year and I never quite got it to a happy state for me. It was dragging me down, making me look old. So, I cut it off. Like, OFF off! I loved it at first, as one tends to do when making such a drastic change, and felt it lifted a weight off of my shoulders. I felt better. I even looked better. But now, after time with short hair once again, I feel the pull of a desire for that which I do not have. Long hair. I knew it was inevitable, but I didn’t know when it would strike. It has indeed struck now. But, no matter. It is, after all, only hair. It will grow back–and probably in less time than I expect! My family is known for how quickly our hair grows. It’ll be back before I know it! Such a fuss we make over appearance. When it comes down to it, it’s really not that important. It’s what our hearts say that matters. I can hear mine now.

I guess it all comes down to where I allow my focus to lie. For now, I’m letting the focus be on creating. I have so many stories I want to tell, and I have no intention of slowing down. If anything, I need to pick up the pace a bit! I do have a rather relaxed schedule. I need not take it for granted.

Here’s hoping 2010 brings a sense of completion for both myself as a new Author, and for Hungry Lucy on our 4th full-length album! Also, I hope that it brings more time with friends, family, and enjoying life rather than wishing any time away. I’ll try to savor. I’ll try to be diligent. I’ll just try and be me.

Be you and know that I love you for what you already are. No change is necessary.

Here’s to a wonderful 2010!

With Much Love,

Christa Belle

Greetings, my friends. October has arrived. I adore everything about this month. Everything. Even my house knows how much I love October and all the creepiness it can bring! I don’t need no stinkin’ fake webs when I have such glorious beauties adorning my home.

I arrived home this morning, from a lovely breakfast bagel with Warren, and found a dainty, dew-wearing web on our mailbox. To add to the October-esque/Haunted House feel, our mailbox is all but falling apart! It never fails that as soon as Autumn hits, our doorway, mailbox and every corner we have gets adorned with the silky tangle of a spider’s handy work… or is it silk-spitting-butt-duct work?

So, to add even more loveliness to this mood, it’s “pea-soup” out there this morning with fog. I walked to the front entry and found multiple Grasshoppers looking back at me. For some reason, they don’t bother me. Even if I get them on me, I don’t mind. I know they won’t hurt me. This guy was slowly walking up a stalk of Russian Sage (they walk really slow, like a Chameleon. It’s so cool! But if they jump, watch out.), but I moved when he did. Hence, blurriness. I still like the “alien” quality the picture has. Soft, yet creepy.

However, I looked down to see another poor tail-end of a grasshopper, deep inside a thick web, being devoured by a large, yellow & black-bodied spider in my Rosemary. Yikes! Again, he knows he is welcome at my house. I don’t want a spider on me (minus the cute little silver spider earring I wear in my ear), but I have a huge amount of respect for spiders. They do great things in the garden. And, I always try to “catch-and-release” them if they are inside the house. But, sometimes, Pullo finds them first and eats them. I can’t count how many spider legs I’ve found lately. Gross! By the way, the pics I took of the spider didn’t do it justice, so I left him out. I think you could imagine him on your own, yes? Hey, is that a spider on your back?? WATCH OUT!! Man, I love Kids in the Hall.

So, it would seem that Autumn has arrived. I hope it really has. But, being in the MidWest, I know no good weather lasts forever. We may hit 90 again before Autumn truly arrives. One just never knows.

Enjoy October and all the misty goodness it brings. It’s going to be a busy one for me, and it ends with a trip to England! Not too shabby.

Happy Hauntings,

Christa Belle

First, we have Warren in the snow.

I shot these with my Yashica-Mat 124G using Fuji Color 120 film. I believe it was 100 ISO, but am truly not sure! Oops. But, if any of you out there shoot Fuji, you know how insanely blue it can be. So, I had to strip out a lot of the blue and cyan “channels” in Aperture.

However, in this shot, I used the cyan to help the mood go to a higher level. It added cyan shadows in the “treeline”, which I found very eerie and lovely. This picture in general speaks to me a lot. I find it haunting. But, that’s what love does. It gets into your soul. This picture embodies Warren to me, mysterious to the very core. In silence… yes. Silence.

I remember the intense cold of that day (last Winter, 2008), followed by warming up at the bookstore with a cuppa coffee (it was actually the field right beside the bookstore. Sneaky, huh?). Our ears were red from the cold, cold wind, fingers numb, faces frozen. It felt good to be cold and miserable and then be so satisfied with the end result. I’ve done that twice now, but this time as the photographer The snow often flew directly at the camera, making for some very blurry snow streaks. I love that! After I started shooting digitally, I missed the anticipation of getting film back. I think it’s made me a better photographer as the years have passed. When I shoot film, it’s a very different experience than when I shoot digital. Less chances for the perfect shot means paying more attention, in my mind. I like that I can do both. Options are always nice.

Then, we have the lovely Maddison, one of my beautiful niece’s, at holiday time, also in 2008, at my parent’s house. We all gathered in the rarely-used basement for a family photo. During that time, we also just hung out, chatted and I played with one camera while Warren played with another. This was also the Yashica-Mat (from above) using T-Max 120 400 B&W film. I love all the hairy bits, scratches and mood that the darkness ads. There was no getting a perfect exposure in that dark basement, so it, again, added to the mood.

Then, as some of the kids played with the pool table balls and cues, I asked Maddi to sling a ball toward the corner as I shot, asking her to avoid the camera if possible! I only shot one like this, and boy was I happy with the result! I absolutely adore the way it stretched out her hand and face. And, the faces on the television. I have no idea what was on. I can’t even tell now.

So, there’s that. I guess I’m just in love with film. I love all of the imperfections that can bring forth such a perfect mood. Why do you think there are “dust-n-scratches” effects in photo-editors these days? Ay? Think about it.

I’m gonna go now and play with film some more. I’m a lucky girl.

Love to all,

cb

Hello out there! Again, it’s been a while since I last posted. I’d like to say I’ve been busy creating new things left and right, but I have not. Instead, I chopped off my hair, got some housework done and have been enjoying some leisure time to an almost annoying degree. There’s only so much relaxation I can take! I need to dig back into projects, so that’s what I’m doing. But, I must say, I have been in waiting mode as well. Waiting to get started on a second draft pending editor notes, and waiting for my lens to come in. But still. I haven’t been as creative as I’d like. There’s no real excuse for that.

So, the day started with a “Dexter Breakfast” of fried-egg, “bacon” and wonderfully rich coffee made in a French Press Pot (my favorite way to make it!). The crema (the thick, luscious foamy layer on top) on this coffee was so beautiful that I just had to take a picture. I loved this shot immediately. Makes me want more coffee now!

Then, I went into the Library (which is also my “office”, I suppose) and spent some time with the boys basking in the morning sunlight. I got this fabulously cute picture of Peanut looking only a little sad. He knew I was leaving for the day. It was my camera bag he was laying on.

Yesterday (August 12th) was also a great and important day. I met with my novel editor downtown in Cincinnati and he has already given back some fabulous notes on my first two chapters! His words make the story flow better. I really need those professional eyes. More so than I thought! I was overwhelmed at first, but as I read the notes, I realized how much better it could be. I believe the second draft will be far more readable than the first. At least, that’s the hope. I only met him yesterday, but he’s one of those people I felt I’ve known for years. I couldn’t have been happier about that. The similarities between he and Freddie (one of the main characters in the book) are a little too coincidental! Funny that. It only makes this process that much more fun and exciting.

Luckily, War-N works in the very same building as my editor, so we, that is War-N and I, went to lunch and Starbucks together. A nice treat after such a wonderful meeting! I was in such a good mood. That hasn’t happened it a long time. I want more of that, please!

Post-downtown, I went to pick up my new wide-angle lens (10-24mm) from my photo pal Pete at Cord Camera. I also picked up some B&W film (yes, FILM!) to play with. I had mentioned in my last post that there was a 1.5% differentiation from lens-to-camera for the Tamron lens I now have. But, with my N90, there is none. So, I want to get the full 10mm angle on some film. I’ve already had a blast with the lens on my D300 and am excited to shoot more!

First, I went to Spring Grove cemetery post-lens pick-up! I drove straight there and just started shooting. Unfortunately, I was wearing flip-flops. I will NEVER do that again at the cemetery! Not only did I get a gnarly cut from the flip-flop strap on my foot, but the ground felt even softer than usual and unstable in flip-flops. It was a little unsettling. The fact that I felt that way actually surprised me. I have never felt ill at ease at a cemetery in my life. Weird.

So, I shot picture after picture and I came to a little section surrounded by trees. I started shooting a taller monument-type stone and, after two shots, realized the bird on top of the stone was real! It was a large, beautiful Hawk and he was admiring me from afar! Well, perhaps he wasn’t “admiring” me, but he certainly had his keen eyes on me all the time. I spoke to him telling him what a pretty boy he was, and then, I got too close and he flew away silently. Really. I heard NOTHING! I was amazed. He just lifted his wings, jumped and he was gone. No noise. No flutter of wings. Nothing. It was a magickal moment. Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t do it justice. But, I’ll never forget it. That’s what counts. Oh, he was gorgeous!

I drove around, getting lost as I always do in Spring Grove, shooting this and that. I came to the Lady & the Lions again by total accident. It seems the once glorious Lady has fallen even farther into disrepair. More limbs had fallen off. An arm, to be exact. But, her beauty still lives on. For the first time, I got her full lengthy stance in one shot as I stood right in front of her. That was such a treat! As War-N said, “You can really get a sense of the perspective.”. I agree. It’s wonderful!

After a couple of hours, I grew tired, and sore-footed, and decided to head home. The beauty was that I got to be a part of regular rush-hour traffic once again. Oh joy! How I missed the days of “parking lot” traffic on I-75… NOT!!! I took the good old Ronald Regan Highway and made it home pretty quickly. For you locals, you know what I mean. Whenever you can avoid 75 and/or 275, the better off you’ll be! I got home, sat down, and didn’t get up again until dinner prep time. It was a good afternoon out, and I liked being tired from doing something creative. I LOVE that feeling!

Upon War-N’s arrival home, dinner was had (which was yummy veggie-fried brown rice!). Then, War-N and Sebastian (the black blob of fur on War-N’s lap) were settling into the evening nicely at the kitchen table. The room was filled with the light of the setting sun, so I used no flash. I love the feel of this shot. Not only is it wide and spacious, but it really tells an intimate story. It seemed to me, at the time, that my Grandfather’s picture had been deliberately lit to stand out. It was only the sun shining on that one spot on the wall. So cool! And the red of the curtain on the window above the kitchen sink. That just added a certain something to the whole shot. All in all, I just love this one! I guess the subject matter plays a big role in that as well

Lastly, dishes were done, pajamas were put onto tired bodies and America’s Next Top Model was watched happily by two well-fed non-models. It was a glorious day.

So, I decided that I’m going to be more active in the coming weeks. The only projects on my plate are my own projects. I have only myself to disappoint if I don’t do them. Who wants that? Not me! The HL album is gradually coming to an end, the novel is on its way to a second draft and so many pictures are to be taken! Not a bad to-do list. Not bad at all!

I hope everyone out there is enjoying life to the fullest. You never know what day will be your last. Enjoy every moment! Do something fun! Live and love fiercely!

Much Love,

Christa Belle

So, another posting here on my safety raft that is christabelle.com. I haven’t been coming in here much lately as I’ve fallen victim to the FaceBook forum. I joined, and I like it. There. I said it! My name is Christa, and I’m a FaceBook-aholic! (hears in head: “Hi, Christa.” from the other junkies!) I’m enjoying connecting to people I haven’t heard from, nor seen, in years! I like that part of it. But, I don’t like that an hour or so has passed, within what felt like five minutes, as I sit there looking and searching. It’s a bit of a life-sucker. I need to practice control. Make a schedule, if you will, as War-N does. He’s always a good guru to go to when I’m feeling all fuzzy and uncertain. One of the many reasons I love him!

Aside from that, I will be meeting with an editor in a couple of weeks to give him a few chapters to edit and proofread as a sort of test for both him and myself. If I like what he does, he’ll edit the whole thing. If not, then I guess I find another editor, yes? But, I don’t think that will be the case. I just have a good feeling about him. So, I’m excited about that! I’m anxious to get “Days with Indigo” off and running. Right now, she’s just sitting there waiting to be revised and perfected. At least she’s not going anywhere. That’s the beauty of a story. There’s really no rush. It’s not all that time-sensitive. It’s still a story, and it will be years from now as well. It’s only me that is impatient. Not the book.

In Hungry Lucy news, things are really going well. I won’t say much more than that, but we’re nearly done with all vocal recordings now. Only two more to go. Woo hoo! Oh, the album got a new title. It was going to be “The Standing Ones”, but that time has passed. It spoke to us in a new voice, and therefore, gave War-N a great new title. I think his choice was a good one. I like it much better with the new name. But, I shan’t spoil it. No more news. I’ll wait until it’s finished now!

Speaking of HL, I really miss doing the podcast. But, you see, there’s a glitch. War-N doesn’t. He’s happy to be done with it. So, what to do? I have had thoughts of making my own podcast with just me and a few guests now and then, but I don’t know if it would be well-received after so long out of the podcast world? People are used to the duo, so would they embrace me as much as they did the two of us? I don’t want it to sound “hollow” or one-sided. A lot of thinking to do. What to do… what to do?

In photo news, I’m anxiously awaiting a new lens for my D300! I had ideas of photos in my head that would require me to get a wide angle lens. I’ve wanted one for years, but never did anything about it. So, no better time than the present! Plus, I will need it to shoot some new HL shots soon. Oh darn! I had looked into the Nikkor AF 14mm/f2.8D ED lens, but it isn’t really meant for the newer version Nikon cameras (which the D300 is), since it was made in 2000. Because of that, there’s a 1.5% differentiation from body to lens. Within that, the 14mm then becomes a 21mm and doesn’t offer the ultra-wide angle that I desired. Not to mention it was very high in the cost department! But, it would have been worth it. It’s an amazing lens! So, I went to my friend Pete at Cord Camera, the one in Kenwood, and he steered me in the right direction, as he always does! I have ordered a Tamron SP AF10mm-24mm/f 3.5-4.5 Di-II LD lens that will make the same 1.5% difference, but then equals a 15mm angle. Not far from the 14mm I was searching for. Make sense? Oh, and because I still have my older Nikon cameras, they WILL work with the 10mm for any film work I want to do. Awesome!! Plus, I get an added expandable option with a short zoom. Flexibility is always nice. With the money I’m saving, I may just get a new flash to go along with it!! I’ve got some good options! Thanks, Pete!!

All in all, things are happily busy at the moment. But, we still take time to relax and enjoy being “War-N and Christa” and not spending all of our weekends as just Hungry Lucy. There is a big difference. We recently went down to the Serpentine Wall at the edge of Cincinnati and walked over the Purple People Bridge to Newport. It was a lovely Saturday together at a place we both hold dear. We should do that more often.

Hope you are well and happy out there, wherever you are. I don’t know about you, but I’m already looking forward to Fall! And with it, many new exciting happenings!

Much Love,

Christa Belle

I have been struggling with finishing the first edit, only because I keep getting sucked back into the story! War-N keeps reminding me that this isn’t a bad thing. But, I find I’m still not truly letting go of the story and letting it manifest into its own entity. It still very much feels like a part of me, inside my head, heart and soul. It’s hard to just smack a “done” label on it and send it on its merry little way. This edit is only to provide “crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s” for the next fellow to see it in a not-so-sloppy manner. He may still find it to be a complete and utter mess! Who knows? But, I’m willing to give over a little control and see what he thinks. For some strange reason, I don’t think I’ll be disappointed. Am I scared? Absolutely! But, it’s a fear I want to have. If I live my life without putting anything of my own out there, what good is that? I know… I’ve done music for over ten years now, but that was a co-effort. I do work hard at the music, and I adore it! But, this writing thing is entirely my own. I’ve never had something that I wanted to put out there, as an actual “something”, that I’ve done entirely on my own. I find just the mere thought exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I can’t wait!!

So, this first draft wound up being roughly 110,000 words, or about 250+ printed book pages. Honestly, I thought it was going to be bigger than that. But, it reads well and you get a good sense of the characters and the story. But, that’s what a professional editor will tell me. Is it too long? Too short? Not enough details? Too many details? I’m very anxious to get notes back and see what a person in the book world actually thinks.

Then, there’s the publishing aspect. Do I self-publish? Do I hope for a book deal? What do I really want to do once this book is ready to find a home in the public eye? My music background says “Self-publish, you fool!” and the other side of me says “Let someone else help you make good decisions, help fund the pressing of the book and distribute in more places”. These two voices get along right now, as they don’t really see each other that much, but I will eventually have to decide. Either way, the plan is this. I’ll finish a great draft, write an awesome Query Letter (which is basically like a One Sheet in the music world.), send it off to a few book folks and then, depending on that, go from there. If nothing else, I’ll just self-publish on a smaller scale. Books are not cheap to print yourself!!!! At least, not the quality that I want to put out there. And, of course, I’d want to offer a non-paper edition as well. But, as a book reader myself, I just have to have an actual book or I don’t feel like I’m reading! So many options to think about. Oh my!

So, you see, I have a lot more work to do and a lot of decisions to make. But, the main story is enjoying its first incarnation as I mark it up with blue ink. My hope is to have a completed first edit to hand off by Friday! Here’s hoping

Well, that feels better. Now, maybe I can fall asleep. Yes. It’s one of “those” nights. My mind is so busy. But, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have something to worry about. My idea of absolute calm usually only lasts for a day at the most. I don’t like sitting still for too long. The beauty is, I don’t have to.

If you have something you want to give to the world, find a way to give it! It’s worth every second of hard work!!

Take care,

Christa Belle

I’m now on chapter 31 in the final part. Part 4. This is where all the mysteries need to resolve, or get so deep that you just know it’s not going to be figured out. It’s a hard thing, writing. I know plays, movies and such are usually in three acts, but I felt this book needed to tell me what it had planned and I needed to not hold the reins too much. History be damned! In doing that, I have really become attached to my beloved cast of characters. I don’t just love them. I am in love with them. I think part of me isn’t finishing quickly because I don’t want it to end. Once I finish this book, that’s their entire world. It will go no further. Kinda depressing, huh? I had toyed with making Indigo have a sequel, but after having a chat with War-N, I realized that would be an easy way out. I’d get bored upon writing another book with the same base characters. So, I will not be making a sequel. I’d rather long for a character and re-read a book than to think “Oh. It’s them again.” Plus, I have so many other new characters to invent after this book. I love writing in this way, and I think this won’t be my only novel attempt. I may not jump into it immediately after Indigo is finished, but I certainly feel that writing is high on my list for things I want to continue doing.

I’ve learned a lot, and will likely learn even more in this part, while writing this book. It’s very odd that your mind can make decisions that you didn’t think you’d make for a character. You sit and ponder scenarios and it’s funny the ones you choose. At least, it was weird for me. I thought things like “Oh my goodness! I didn’t know they were going to do THAT!?!” and I was so happy when I’d feel that way. The characters have truly become real in my mind. Should I be scared?

I have an actual journal that I started when I began writing. I’d write out what I planned to do, then I’d write why I didn’t do it that way, and finally I’d write about my great surprise that a character did something in the book. It’s very funny to go back and read it now. NONE of my original ideas have stuck! They’ve all transformed into something else entirely. I love that! My heart is so invested in these people! I know them all so well now. It’s a fabulous thing, this writing business. I’m glad I have the opportunity to do it.

So, the end of 2009 will indeed be a busy, busy year for me, and for Hungry Lucy. Things are definitely churning and getting to a good place in music land as well as finishing the book. What a lovely productive year here in Hamilton! But, I still have test first drafts to do and then all the formatting, editing, printing and such before the book would come out. I don’t see the HL album and the book coming out at the same time. It would be lovely, but I don’t think it will happen.

To my delight and surprise, another musical friend has written a book. Andy Deane of Bella Morte has published his first novel titled, “The Sticks”. Apparently, he’s got many more to publish, too! Great news, Andy!! Isn’t writing great?!? Congrats on your writing. I need to pick up a copy of “The Sticks” for myself! If you don’t know of Andy or Bella Morte, get acquainted! Andy is such a lovely person and whenever we’d play with them, I’d always feel better just seeing them. He, and all of Bella Morte, had the power to lift the mood to lovely pretty quickly.

In family writing news, War-N’s niece Siobhan has written her first novel as well. I’m not exactly sure on the details of that yet, but the book is called “The Darling Rebels” and will be out later this year! I was so happily surprised to hear about her writing and publishing a novel. I can’t express how proud I am of her!!

So, there’s that. I’m well on the way to the finish line of the first draft. I can see it. It’s a little blurry, but it’s there! I had a deadline of July 1st for my first draft. I really don’t know if I’m gonna make it? But, I am trying my damndest!

So, this summer, find a good book to sink your teeth into. There’s nothing like an indulgent day of reading, sipping iced tea and falling into a world created by someone else. When it’s done right, you never forget how it feels. I guess there are a lot of things like that, yes? Enjoy the summer!

Much Love,

Christa Belle

Between tasks, I have taken a few pictures here and there. Below I have discussed a few of my favorite shots, and why they are my favorite shots. Honestly, I thought I’d have more than this. I was surprised at how few were actually my favorites! So, does this mean I’ve been lazy? Or, am I just ultra-picky when it comes to my own photography? I think, for my sanity’s sake, I will choose the latter.

This first shot is of my beautiful boy, War-N. I had seen these pictures in my head for months. A dark subject, light in the eyes and a slight feel of something not quite right. Kind of like an immigrant being shipped away for no particular reason other than him being foreign. Despite him being wronged, in this fictitious story in my head, he still has the glimmer of hope in his eyes and nothing will defeat him. I think this translates very well to War-N as a person right now. No matter what he goes through, nothing defeats him. And, he has the light of the entire universe in those eyes. I think he’s magick.

Technically, in these photos, I used something I’ve never used in this way before. We have a large projection screen for our live shows (when we do actually play live!) to display our videos. This screen is set up in the basement from where I played movies at Halloween. It dawned on me “huh… it’s a good light spreader, so why not use it as a backdrop?” It worked so well! Even lighting from behind with my cheap and cheerful hood lights makes for a smooth backdrop. You can use a small spot for a lovely vignette, or use a bright light for a soft, dreamy white. Amazing! Why had I never done this before?? I dunno. But, I’ll certainly do it again!

Back in March, I did a pretty massive photo shoot with/for my newest nephew, Micah. Shara, Chris and Micah all came up and we had a lovely day of shooting inside our house. Then, we took a trip up to Oxford where I got many favorite shots outside. Oh, and we all partook of some Starbucks. Hee hee! It was a great day with the three of them, and War-N, and I look back on it very fondly. We walked around the Oxford streets enjoying the unusually mild March weather together. I love the big, old trees up there, so I thought it may work for a good background for Micah. It most certainly did.

So, I had a lot going on at the time and I had to put off doing the printing and such until after another task was done. So, it built up on my shoulders as a heavy task (in my mind), but then, as I was doing it, I fell in love with these pictures all over again. When it came time to actually choose a favorite, it was very difficult. I loved them all. Mr. Micah is such a beautiful baby! All of my nieces and nephews are incredibly beautiful. It’s almost unnatural!

As I sat back to really look at the pictures, I got a true “picture” of what I had been doing. So often we get engulfed in tasks and lose sight of the outcome. I found it a huge help to take pictures of my progress, and that truly made me see that I had done a good job. The photographs were different, but went very well together when viewed in mass. I had taken a fair amount of color out of most of them, so to get them looking like a “set” or a certain “mood’ felt very good to me. Plus, Shara (my sister, Micah’s Mom) loved them. That was the most important thing. I think Chris (Micah’s Dad) did, too. I hope so!

So, this was my pick for favorite picture from his photo shoot. I had trouble with the shadows on his face in this set on a few, as I was shooting manually and forgot to adjust the shutter once or twice. Oops! But, I got most of the details to a good point. I chose sepia for a select few that gave me problems. Sepia seemed to smooth out some noise and really made the skin tone glow. Plus, I like the dark branches, old with age and wisdom, against the newness of Micah and all he was experiencing. He’s a bit of a silly boy and I had a hard time keeping his tongue out of most of the pics! This one was like a nod to the tongue. It’s there, but not enough to overshadow the rest of his personality. He’s so cute I can hardly stand it!

Then, we come to my favorite pet shot (you had to know a cat picture was coming!). I hate to say I have a favorite of our three boys, but I do. Don’t worry. Pullo and Sebastian all get plenty of love, too. We’re all a big, squishy family here! But, ever since we took in Peanut and Sebastian a couple of years ago, Peanut and I developed a special bond. As reluctant as I was to love another kitty so soon after my dear Chloe’s death, I eventually let Peanut in, and he’s definitely my favorite now. He kept on pushing to be loved by me. He sat at my side, even as I cried cursing the fact that he wasn’t Chloe, and he just wanted me to love him in return. Not long after, he was victorious. I love them all tremendously. But, I do have a special soft spot for my big, furry, fearsome kitty. The biggest baby in the house. My Peanut.

This shot was on a very sunny day. I tried to sneak up on them as the three were lying in the sun. I got down to their level and just started shooting. Peanut, and Pullo, got up and started posing for me. Sebastian couldn’t have cared less. He was sunning himself and wasn’t going to be bothered to move at all! I got this one of Peanut and it just does something interesting if you look for a little while. His eyes are so focused, yet not. You feel you could just climb into his fur and go to sleep. I often wish I could. I find the picture so hazy and so dreamy. I just love it. I didn’t adjust anything. I love it exactly the way it is. Blue cast and all. I rarely ever do that. I like it!

Then, we end with a cake shot. After the Harrison 40th Anniversary Party, I still had left-over ganache so I thought I’d make a cute little “Bird’s Nest” cake. I made it while Peter & Carol (the aforementioned Harrison’s) were here for a CND day (that stands for cuppa, natter, dinner, if you didn’t know. I highly recommend having one with close family and friends!). I had made the actual cakes before they got here, but hadn’t glazed it yet. I think part of why I remember this so fondly is because we all gathered around the cake as I glazed it and them we proceeded to take some cake scraps and dip it in the ganache and top it with a bit of left-over coconut and ate it up real nice. Part treat, part naughtiness. It was just fun to be messy together and enjoy a stolen treat! In all honesty, I think the scrap feast tasted better than the assembled cake. Funny that.

So, I have so many undiscovered favorite things to look forward to this year. I hope you find some favorite things in your daily life. Nothing beats a stolen treat, a hazy picture that takes you right back to a moment, or the way your special someone looks in a photograph. Though nothing beats the real thing, it’s nice to be able to look back at a moment in time.

Much Love and Fond Memories,

Christa Belle

So, one of the things we did was an impromptu photo shoot. I was the subject and War-N the photog. He shot many, many photos, but I found this one said a lot to me when I kept going back to it as a favorite. I don’t usually even like photos of myself, but I think there’s something to be said about the person who can see inside you the most getting a good picture of you. War-N does seem to capture a certain something about me that no one else can. I think that speaks volumes. Plus, I actually like it!

Cb Shadows

The only adjustments I did (in Aperture 2, of course!!) was that I brought the red channel down and boosted the luminance of the red channel to even out the skin tone. The original was a bit orange, so lowering the red helped. I brought the mid-tone shadow levels down a bit to make richer blacks and I think the adjustments gave it more of a “glowing” mood without adding my usual “diffuse glow” to smooth out the skin. I didn’t want too much glow. Just the suggestion. I love that you can still see my dark hair against the dark wall, but the mood is still very much a shadowed picture. Great job, War-N!!

One secret that I’ve used the last few years is parchment paper on a plain old aluminum hood clip-on lamp (like the ones you use on fish tanks and such). The parchment paper (unbleached) really softens the light, and the paper is meant to withstand high heat, so it’s a perfect match. Cheap and cheerful! To that lamp, I add a dimmer and used two lamps on either side of the body. One on the lower body, one on the face. It’s a bit tricky for exposure at times, finding the right angles and light strength, but enough play will get what you want. I keep the ISO low so as not to get too much noise in such a dark setting. Even with my beloved Nikon D300, I still get the ever-annoying noise in some situations with a high ISO. Blargh!! So, this was just on 250. Also, a tripod is always a good suggestion when using low light. War-N managed to hand-hold this one, but you can still see a slight blur in the eyes. Luckily, it actually adds a certain something to this shot. A few more from this series may come to light, as it were, because there are still quite a few I liked. We both had a ball just hanging out, drinking chocolate martini’s, listening to Goldfrapp and taking photos. It was a grand end to a wonderful vacation. We were together. We were home.

In all my years of taking photos, and being in them, I just find I get the results I want when the mood is darker. I like the mystery. I like the shadows. I like that it brings out beauty that usually stays hidden, or it hides things that are unflattering and brings forth the true beauty of the subject. We aren’t all models, and we shouldn’t be. We need to find our true beauty, accept it and embrace it. Find the best angle. Find the best light. There are so many extraordinary pictures still waiting to be taken. We should all just go for it!

As we get back into the mode of War-N working and me being here, doing what I do, we come to terms with the fact that it has to be that way… for now. No matter what life throws at us, we have each other. When things get dark, we meet in the shadows and find the light together. Sometimes, all we need is a tiny glow to find our way back home.

Find your darkness. Find your light.

Much Love,

cb

Today held a MASSIVE installation of 25+ yards of homemade compost, a whopper of a huge bag of sterile compost for the existing flower/herb beds, 104 pine needle mulch bales and a Dingo and a very large caterpillar device. Not to mention the 5 people it took to get it all done today. The work isn’t quite finished, but it’s well on the way to completion. Even with 5 people, it’s hard to do that much shifting and scooping in 6 hours. I will post a final “after” shot so you can get the entire scope of what exactly has happened (if you even care! ).

I mentioned what they put in, but just listen to what they took out. They brought three massive landscape trucks, one being a literal dumpster size, and they hauled out two trucks of nasty, mucky clay and rocks… and a fence panel that just had to go! With the entry to our back garden now open, it feels so much more grand and more welcoming. It was past time to take down the barrier. It’s going to be really something special getting it to come to fruition over the next few years. This was a brilliant first step.

Marvin, the owner operator of Marvin’s Organic Gardens, was at the helm, followed by Ricky organizing all duties to be done. They worked splendidly well all together, a total of 5 people, and it truly seemed like they all respected each other, and the plants. They were all very careful not to disturb a newly made nest of a Robin on the fence post. Marvin drew it to everyone’s attention right as I told him. I watched in sadness all through the week building up to the work day, hoping she’d wait until after the digging and noise, but she laid her eggs and sat for two days and nights right before they got there. I do hope she returns and the two blue eggs hatch and fly away someday soon. I know she came back soon after they left. Perhaps she’s there now?

My first experience two years ago, with the “rock wall” project, I didn’t feel this way about the crew of the other landscape outfit at all. I almost felt I was just barely tolerated at my own house and felt I was intruding and not welcome if I came to see what was going on. But this time that wasn’t at all the case, thank goodness! Marvin and his crew are fabulous to work with on site. There’s never a wrong question and they actually want you to be happy. What a concept! I’ve been going to Marvin’s place (greenhouse/garden center) for many years now. I will continue to go back and promote them in any way possible. It’s not just about the work they do, it’s about what they plant along with it. Hope.

My “other parents”, also known to most people as in-laws (but I hate that term), Peter & Carol also had their garden done by Marvin last Fall. They are loving the spring flush of bulbs that Marvin and Ricky planted. Plus, all of their new plants are doing very well. Their Hellebores are spectacular!! Now, they will have a relatively maintenance-free garden full of life and color. It’s because of them that I learned of Marvin in the first place… a flier in the mail that Mummy Carol thought I might find useful. Boy did I!! I’ve never been so grateful for a flier in my life! Now, we all share a love of Marvin’s Organic Gardens. It’s the only place we’ll get plants from now on!

So, as they left for the day, I joyfully went out, wellies on feet, and began uncovering some of the little babies that were under their fresh mulch. The thing about the pine straw mulch is that it’s so easy to cover and uncover a plant without disturbing the plant itself. I’m loving it already! So, I’m winding around, plant to plant, making sure everything is ok. And, happily, everything is. War-N watched me from the kitchen window enjoying the joy I expressed as I tended to my babies. It has already given both of us so much joy and it isn’t even finished yet! Not one new plant has gone into the ground yet, but I feel that the garden has already benefited tenfold just from today alone. Things look greener, seem more alive and look much, much better. Step two with a few plants and re-seeding all grassy areas will follow within a week or so. I get to meet with Marvin again to decide final plant choices this week. That’s the ultra fun part. Plants!!

In the meantime, Marvin gave me a task list of things I need to do before they come back. Excellent!! One of those tasks is that I get to build another new rock wall in front of the house. I’m building it out of existing rocks that are around my trees and such. Turns out I wasn’t giving my trees enough of a “ring” around them for growth and water absorption. One of the many lessons I’m learning. So, I’m getting them away from the trees and building another raised bed for compost and new plants. When it’s all nice and done, it’ll just be grow, grow, GROW!! This has forced me to really clean out the garden and all that will remain will be … a Garden! No storage bits, extra wood pieces left strewn about, empty pots, messiness and the like. Only a nice, glorious, healthy green space full of life. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. A true garden.

It’s funny… as Marvin & co. were cleaning up, one of our neighbors had been watching the process. He is a very nice man that I’d waved to on occasion on our nightly walks. Very friendly guy. He was very interested in what they were doing and asked (rather forcefully, but nicely) that Marvin come to his house right after he was done here. So, Marvin did! He was dog tired, but off he went to help another potential customer. I do wonder what time he and Lily (the wonder-dog) finally got home?

So, this will be a good garden year for me. I’m constantly learning and constantly hungry for more information that I can learn about organic gardening and plants in general. I used to think I was too old to learn new things a few years ago. Turns out, I was just trying to learn the wrong things. If there’s no interest, there’s no learning. It just won’t happen. I never want to stop learning. That much, I know.

I shall report back again when the project is complete. There will be some grand photo “before & after” shots. It’s so amazing I can hardly believe it’s finally happening! Even War-N is excited to see the final product. Even at this at this stage, he’s so impressed!

And whether you garden or not, enjoy the great outdoors and all it has to offer. There’s something for everyone… somewhere.

Much love to all.

cb