22, Pirates, & BIG Birthday Wishes!

So, I know I have posted this stuff practically everywhere on facebook by this point but I have to admit that this is the best birthday I ever recall having other than my sweet 16 where my dad took me flying. But it's almost hard to compare since this is all it's own thing.

Basically, I started feeling absolutely terrible about my upcoming birthday last week due to the fact that my 22nd birthday fell on the doomed "Black Friday". I work full time in retail and was required as an assistant manager to work a 12 hour shift and I wanted the night shift so I could have my actual birth day off. So 11pm-11:30am is what I ended up working. Mind you, I couldn't get myself to sleep the evening before I started the shift other than a short and very interupted 1 hour power nap. So, I was wrecked by the end of my shift. In fact, I don't even remember half my drive home because I was THAT tired. And I'm pretty sure I actually fell asleep a few minutes along the highway. I checked my phone too on the way home at some stop lights and I hadn't gotten hardly any texts, messages, or anything from people wishing me "Happy Birthday" or anything of the sort and I started to feel terrible... like no body cared. My own husband didn't even send me anything! By the time I got home I was almost in tears thinking everyone forgot about me. When I pulled into the driveway, this appeared on the door:

I instantly forgot about how sad I was feeling and became insanely curious to what was hiding behind that door. And then, I got EXTREMELY excited. Like my inner kid was instantly awakened and I was alive. When I turned the door knob, I was greeted with what you see in this video:



Basically, I was reminded of how loved I am. And how much people really do care. I give all of my soul to others and it feels so amazing to be given it back every once in a while. It was an instant recharge. The entire 'pirates' theme was leading up to my main present in which you see I get at the end of that video which was the full Pirates of the Caribbean blu-ray set which came packaged in an actual treasure chest. STOKED.

You see, my love for this theme of Pirates runs so much deeper than the movies. It's the idea that piracy was originally formed off of. The first true independence to any nationality in our recorded history (well, other than the Viking culture) in which our entire Declaration of Independence from the British reign was forged. The idea that any one person could become what they wanted by the act of doing is what gives me pride to call myself an American. But also respect to what such ideas were inspired from. I have the ability to be all that I can be (minus a few swashbuckling adventures...) no matter what troubles I face, how much stronger the ships I meet, how furousious the storms I pass, and how torn my sails become, I will continue to be all that I can be because I have the will to always carry on, no matter what.

But you see, that's just a beginning into the reasons I love Pirates so much in general. The stories of unweilding adventure, raging sea monsters, famous captains like Morgan and his bucanneers. I'm instantly drawn in when the word is just mentioned. I kind of always have been to anything that offers such adventure.

 

So, you can kind of see why this whole birthday means sooo much to me. On top of that, I turned 22. Which so happens to be my lucky number, and my favorite number. To start it off with such a bang makes me feel warm, hopeful, and happy inside to make anything come true. I wished a giant wish when I blew my candles out this year and I will get to it. One way or another.

So anyway, the rest of the day was amazing. My parents stayed over all day and we watched the very latest Pirates movie called On Stranger Tides and then watched the making for it and Curse of the Black Pearl! Had cake, ice cream, and enjoyed delicious fire-roasted chicken into the late hours of the evening (my time clock was soooo thrown that day. 6pm felt like 2am!)

But, I got lovely presents from the family. Including a pair of boots I've been wanting since the age of 11 when I "used" to want to be Lara Croft. And, used birthday money to finally get myself a Wii system. I now own all video game systems other than a DS! Well on my way!

Let's just wrap this up and say this was the best birthday I have ever experienced in my entire life.

Enormous thank you's to Paul <3 If it weren't for you, this literally wouldn't have happened.

-Brooke

Won't Let Go

Oh my. Where do I even start?

Life has a tendency to roll faster than I can walk sometimes. I think I take on more than I can handle pretending like I'm superwoman and can do it with ease. As it is my greatest weakness at times, it also ends up being my greatest strength to be able push myself to be something more than I woke up in the morning being. I just have to remember and constantly remind myself that balance is the key to e v e r y t h i n g.

I spent some time tonight looking for new music. I found two musicians that I like a lot called The Xx and Newton Faulkner. They will be on my Ipod here soon.

I also spent some time studying other portfolios of photographers that I admire like Rosie Hardy, Oeil Photography, Paisley Studios, Aria Photography, and then.... my absolute favorite recently, Jonas Peterson. Honestly, I want my work to depict a similar style to his. That photojournalism flare with a story telling ability that blends the people I'm photographing and the surroundings they are in. His work is beautiful. I also spent some time catching up with a friend/fellow photographer's blog as well who I find truly inspiring. There are just certain people on this Earth that I think are beautiful souls and all these people give me inspiration to be better at what I do. They don't even know me and dont even know how much I love them for giving me such inspiration. But, I guess that doesn't really matter.

In other news, I started a "professional" photography blog where I will be posting all of my commissioned work and I'm just going to keep this my private one. I don't know what I would do without having this! Even if no body really reads it. The link to my new blog is my old domain name: www.brooketownsendphotography.blogspot.com

I haven't had much time to shoot new personal stuff. Work has been taxing on me and I've been getting an explosion of wedding requests! Which is awesome. But it's happening during the kick of the holiday season in which I'm still working full time in retail. I have a feeling 2012 is going to be the year I work my ASS off but I have a goal to live completely off my photography by 2013. I also want to get some weddings booked so I can go on a trip to England next summertime and possibly Iceland. I've been literally dreaming about landing my feet on that soil. 

Anyways, I'm going to play Tomb Raider Anniversary a little bit before I fall asleep for the night.
I'm feeling the need for a grand adventure.

Brooke

PS: Pics taken on my Droid cellie :)

Photoblog: Carriage Hill

So, I attended a special get-together to listen to the Governer, John Kasich, talk about some of the local issues for the state that was on the ballot for today's elections. It was really interesting actually! And I'm not going to lie, the best part of it was the location.

This lovely family named the Terry's owns one of the biggest farms in all of Liberty Twp (where I grew up) and they have recently had to sell their property because taxes have become too high to keep located there. Even though they are a very well-off family, they have finally been made to throw in the towel and cannot operate their farm any longer. Their property has been sold to a community developer to build what's called Carriage Hill. Lovely plans for the place, but it is sad to see a legacy fall such as the Terry's :(

Anyway, they really do have a gooooorgeous property. One of the nicest features is their barn/carriage house. The website can give you a brief description on the history if you are interested! http://www.carriagehillliving.com/carriage-house.html

So, I kinda let Paul take the reigns on this event because he's been interested in learning more about photography. So I owe some of these to him! And some of the others taken by meeee <3

I want someone to get married here.
And I want to run around snapping all the magical moments this place offers to that lucky couple.
Maybe even get a cute vintage shoot booked here!! We'll see....


-Brooke

Newborns: Coulter & Sophia

Well, my newest cousins were born on Halloween this year! And they are twins! They are a month early however but completely healthy, alive, and well. After work I got the chance to meet them myself and brought my camera along with me and captured my first newborn shots ever! (and realized I haven't ever seen many newborns in my life!)

Meet Coulter and Sophia.

-Brooke