12 of 12 - July 2009

Thinking about renaming this The Joni 12 of 12 Blog since that seems to be the only thing I've posted this year. Guess I'm in an introspective place where I'm doing more thinking and dwelling on stuff rather than writing about it. (See Chad Darnell's Blog for details about the 12 of 12)

So, this month's 12 of 12, subtitled Leaving Las Vegas, is all about me trying to get back from a quick weekend vacation to Vegas with my parents. They had a longer trip planned, but I tagged along for two days just to get away and get some rest. All that rest was pretty much undone on the trip home, but such is the life of a standby traveler.

Anyway, since I was losing 3 hours on the travel back east, I decided to start my 12th at 12:00 a.m. eastern time, so it was 9:00 p.m. in Vegas as I got started.

12:05 am (et) - The Bellagio Fountains - Stopped to watch the water show one more time before leaving the hotel to head to the airport for my flight home. Always love it when we get a room on the side where you can watch the show.

12:10 a.m. - Mom taking a peak out at the activity on the Strip.

12:33 a.m. - Waiting on the the train to the terminal and fiddling with my camera, I manage to finally find an angle where it doesn't look like I have 14 chins.

12:36 a.m. - On the train to the D Terminal at LAS. After the flash went off when I snapped this one, all these people turned to give me a dirty look. Trying to figure out a way to unobtrusively photograph random people without giving them the creeps or having them give me dirty looks. I tried after this to turn off the flash as I snapped, but the quality sucks when I do. Any advise from you 12 of 12ers that are more experienced photographers??

1:19 a.m. - from the terminal window - See you later Vegas!

2:50 a.m. .... and by later, I guess I mean in an hour and a half. While getting ready to push back, they found a problem with the a/c, so we were delayed a couple of hours waiting on the fix. They initially said we could stay on board or deplane as we preferred, but after the on board temp went above 90, they had us all deplane. So, back at the gate, waiting on the all clear and looking for some photo ops

2:58 a.m. - as opposed to throwing away any more money.

9:22 a.m. - Yay - back home in ATL. This train is leaving the station, please hang on.

9:26a.m - Welcome to Atlanta

10:23 a.m. - Took a little while to get my bag from baggage claim (had to gate check it at the last minute as I was the last one cleared onto the flight) and then had to wait on the shuttle over to the office, so finally making it home and picking up my mail. Wow - Michael Jackson died. I had not heard that.

11: 02 a.m. - Not really sure what I did, but my knee and ankle are both very sore and very swollen, so I had to drag out 4 different ice packs to try and get some relief. Finally took a pain pill and crashed for the rest of the day...

until a storm woke me up well after dark. Not really sure what time this was as the power had gone out and I was still sort of groggy from the jet lag and pain pill.

So, there you go. Thanks for visiting. See you next month, if not sooner.

12 of 12 - June 2009

Hello and welcome to this month's 12 of 12. To see the rules and play along, go here to Chad Darnell's blog. My childhood BFF Karen played along last month, and I hope she does it again this time around too.

I've had the best week - Started out with a vacation in Vegas with my most wonderful Mom. We stayed at Caesar's Palace for free, saw Bette Midler (it was, in the words of one Barnabas Stinson - "Legend.....wait for it......Ary") and we both even came home with a little extra cash. Georgia Power will be so happy. After returning home, my boss took our whole work team out to the afternoon Braves game yesterday and even sprung for hotdogs and Cracker Jack.

So, after all the fun and games and about a million great photo ops, 12 of 12 would come on the one most intensely boring, need to catch up on 4 missed days of work, OMG I have 272 unread emails in my inbox day of the week. Nonetheless, here we go.....

8:41 a.m. - Arriving at work after the 2 minute commute. Looks like they are setting up something on the lawn - probably some type of celebration in connection with Delta's 80th anniversary which is next week. Hopefully, there will be free stuff.

12:10 p.m. - The first part of the day has flown by and it is already time for lunch. Ran out to pick up something at Which Wich.

12:40 p.m. - Back at work and it turns out the thing on the lawn is a celebration thrown by Coca-Cola in recognition of their long term relationship with Delta (since 1940) and our 80th anniversary. And there is Free Stuff - Woohoo!! Coke Floats for everyone and assorted prizes. Here, my coworker Laura gives me her best "hurry up and take the picture so I can eat my damn float" smile.

12:45 p.m. -Of course, my Dad can smell free food from several miles away, so he was in attendance. But what I'm really loving is all the goings on behind us - they were having a Twist contest and some people were really getting in to it.

12:52 p.m. - and of course, the Electric Slide. Can't have a party without that. What I like about this photo is that I had the camera at my side, walking through the crowd and I accidentally hit the button to take a picture and it ended up better and clearer than some of the photos I took on purpose. I love that the one woman on the right is still actively eating her float as she dances.

12:57 p.m. - and the Coke Polar Bear was even there. God, I would have hated being in that costume on such a hot day.

1:00 p.m. - OK - back to work. Headed back to my building and wanted to point out the LTA in Delta sign here....


...is the same LTA above the skylight over my desk in our new office space. Having your own personal skylight is wonderful for about 75% of the day. But on a sunny day between about 12:00 and 2:00 - it can be miserable. During that time, I'm finding lots of out of office things to do.

6:57 p.m. - As I was getting ready to leave, I discovered the accidental photo of the ladies doing the Slide and was explaining to Cheryl how I had snapped it as I was walking, and ended up doing it again. Now normally, this would have been an immediate move to the delete file for all kinds of obvious reasons, but I caught sight of Cheryl's face amidst the blur and figured this was the one chance to post a shot of her from the front to which she hopefully wouldn't object.

7:05 p.m. - Close up of the engine blades on the Spirit of Delta 767 in the hangar next to our office, as I finally head for home. All 272 emails opened and at the very least read.

7:10 p.m. - So, I walk across the parking lot to get in to my car and it is sunny skies. I drive to the main gate, and there is a strike of lightning. I drive one block and the sky goes black and by the time I reach the corner at the end of the second block and turn into the driveway, the bottom drops out. I know that the state announced that the long Georgia drought is officially over earlier this week, but this is a little much.

7:18 p.m. - Don't know why the blurry shot seems to be the theme of the day, but again, I liked this one. I'm not sure why it is so blurry - is it the camera, or me developing a nervous twitch. Or maybe lightning cracked again as I snapped it and I flinched, or it could have just been that the rain was just moving so fast that the blur was inevitable. I was trying to get a shot of how the wind was blowing the rain sideways but had to take cover after that the wind shifted and suddenly I was soaking wet as I stood on my completely covered front porch.

So, there you go. Hope you enjoyed. And if you get a chance, head over to Chad's blog and check out the links to other 12 of 12ers worldwide. It is a great chance to see what daily life is like all over the world and to enjoys some really wonderful photography.

12 of 12 - May 2009

The Joni Blog has been on hiatus -but we are back today with a new episode/entry. It is time for 12 of 12. New to 12 of 12? Go here for the rules and background.

After accidentally taking April's 12 of 12 off (and pretty much taking off blogging in any regard as well), I was really geared up to come back with a vengeance for May's 12 of 12. Unfortunately, today was one of those days that was better off forgotten and not documented in pictures. Still, I wanted to try and crawl out of my uncreative hole and do something.

Basically, spent the day going to and from the doctor's office/hospital twice, with 6 hours of fast and furious work squeezed in the middle. Not a lot of photo ops, but I tried.

7:40 am - On the road to the doctor's office. Left early since they are working on the road....

8:05 am - but still managed to arrive a little late. Got to see the emergency helicopter land though.

9:25 am - Through with Dr. visit #1 and headed back to work. Tried to just hold the camera up and snap as I drove. Ended up with a lot of photos of blurry greenery, blurry construction barrels and the barns above.

5:10 pm -No time to take any pictures while at work and the traffic was too crazy headed back down to the hospital for my x-rays and blood work. But, I did get one shot while waiting on the technician to come back (aww - x-ray machine looks like it has a puppy face.) I think I spent another 12 of 12 in this room. In fact, I think I've spent several 12 of 12s in this building. It has been a sucky couple of years health wise.

6:20 pm - Almost back home again. This is the bridge that connects two of the buildings at the big D.

6:30 pm - So, I get home and realize I have 7 more photos to go, and I'm not planning on doing anything for the rest of the evening except laundry & dishes. So, here is a quick review of some of the new things I've done around the house. Moved the couch yet again in the living room. (now facing the fireplace.)

6:31 pm - Made a Family Tree (with the help of a do-it-yourself kit given to me by my friend Kristie.) Still have some more to add to some of the branches, but figured I could at least hang it while it was in progress.

6:32 pm - Topped that with photos of my parents and grandparents.

6:33 pm - Hung a huge print (4' x 5') of the Atlanta Airport circa 1940 with the help of my very talented friend Dale.

6:35 pm - and accompanied them with some other old airline related prints from the archives.

6:40 pm - and finally finished the dining room. My piano bench was previously covered with that green & gold vinyl stuff from 1970. Thankfully, my neighbor Katie was able to recover the bench so it would match the room (and so I wouldn't stick to it in the summer anymore)

6:42 pm - and she also made curtains for the dining room and tea stained my old white table cloth to match. So, now I'm finally ready for my first dinner party in the new house - well, as soon as I learn to cook or find the name of a great caterer. Or maybe I'll just order pizza and buy lots of good beer and hope no one notices.

12 of 12 - March 2009

12 of 12 on an average Joni day? Boring.

12 of 12 on a work day? Boring x 2.

12 of 12 on a really busy work day? Boring x 10.

12 of 12 on a really busy work day and you have an allergy headache that has prevented you from sleeping for the last 2 days? Boring x infinity.

Still - here we go.


Just after midnight - wishing my dear friend Ali Happy Birthday on the Facebook. I liked how the photo sort of has that gauzy effect, like all the aging female celebs seem to have when filming their close-ups. Not that Ali is aging and needs special effects - she is still young and lovely.

Sometime before dawn - Playing airport shuttle for some friends. I live so close to the airport I can usually get them there and be back home in bed in under 15 minutes. It would have been a great photo op had I thought about 12 of 12 before I pulled away from dropping them off. Still, I tried to grab a shot of the airport as I passed, but it is hard to drive, focus and click all at the same time. Still, liked this one anyway.

6:50 am - Was able to slow down enough at one point to get the Fly Delta Jets sign off in the distance.

6:52 am - and home again.

6:53 am - The full moon over my house.

8:50 am - Arriving at work, watching the planes go by. Just to the lower left of the trees on the right you can see the airport control tower in the distance. I can also see it from my front porch at home.

5:10 pm - My arch nemesis and the creator of my raging allergy headache.

5:15 pm - The headache and lack of sleep was killing me, so I ended up heading home a little early and was greeted by my neighbor's dog Jackson. I had no treats, so he lost interest in me quickly.

5:30 pm - Lying in bed, trying to fall asleep, but I'm so sleepy that I can't fall asleep. Hoping the Benedryl will help......

5:31 pm - until then I'll roll over and stare at the ceiling fan.

6:25 pm - OK - I finally fall asleep and then I swear I just heard someone scream. Whatever it was, it woke me up and so I went to eek out the front door window, but nothing seems amiss. OMG - I think I have officially leaped over my mother and turned into my Grandmother.


6:30 pm, 8:14 pm, 9:27 pm, etc. - This was my view for the next several hours while I dozed and woke up about half a dozen times through the evening. Still have a headache, which I anticipate should last until about October.

12 of 12 - February 2009

Hello and welcome to this month's 12 of 12. New to 12 of 12? Go check out Chad's blog for the details. However, beware - Chad has had a rough few months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and his photos of late can be a little squirm inducing - especially for the guys. I think his documentation of his journey has been at times heartbreaking, other times funny, and always inspiring. But, it ain't for everyone, so just wanted to put that out there.

So, away we go.....

12:01 am - After having a horrible bout with leg cramps earlier in the evening (and I know Mom - "Eat a banana") I'm still trying to get through Wednesday's episode of Lost on the TiFaux. Here we have Jack, Ben (not Henry) and Sun arriving to meet with a mystery woman.....

12:02 am - when out of the darkness comes ......... Desmond!! Love me some Desmond!!!

12:10 am - Finally thru with Lost, I decide to check emails and Facebook one last time before I'm off to bed and dangit! I see that my friend Laura's husband has beat by High Score on that major time-sucker, Bejeweled Blitz - how can I sleep now knowing that I no longer have the high score???

8:40 am - Had to get into my "Decor Drawer" to pull some extra paint samples to take to my new friend Susan after work this evening. She has bought and older home a few blocks over and is renovating it while living in it. God bless her heart. (Left hand side is my bedroom paint & soon to be drapes. Right side is my dining room paint and soon to be drapes.)

11:02 am - Finally arriving at work after taking a few hours of personal time. The lobby is decorated for Valentine's Day. I really need to see about bidding on the job where you put up balloons and posters around the building every time there is a celebration - I bet it pays more than mine does.

11:12 am - Checking some weather forecasts before finalizing some additional off day slots for the upcoming holiday. As long as the green isn't over Atlanta or New York, it should be OK.

5:55 pm - Getting ready to leave work, I realize that I have been far too busy to take any photos during my short day, so I tried to find something in my office that you haven't seen before. These are sort of new - I won them in a trivia contest we had at work. The topic was "Things about Minnesota" and the prizes were items from a huge "Minnesota" basket sent to our building from our new coworkers in Minneapolis. These are photos of pink & white lady's slippers (What is the State Flower of Minnesota, Alex?)

6:20 pm - Here, I am just turning on to the street that has given me a life long phobia. When I was growing up, my mom and grandmother use to jokingly call one of the local streets "Bad Luck Street" because of all the terrible and tragic things that either happened on the street or to people they knew that lived on the street. The one time I ever remember being on the street in my 20s, something bad happened to one of the people I was with. After that, I wouldn't go down that street for anything. Even after I moved into the community and met people who lived on the street, I would make excuses to not attend their parties because I was irrationally afraid of the damn street. Finally, about two years ago (and after a lot of therapy), I started making small attempts to at least go as far as the first driveway, and then turn around and get the heck out of there. Since then, I even managed to go to a party at one of the houses, although it was tough to stay very long. If I hadn't had Katie with me, I probably wouldn't have made it more than 15 minutes. Anyway, all this long story to say -

6:21 pm - guess where Susan lives????

It turned out that she was stuck in traffic, so all I had to do was drop the paint chips off in her mailbox and then make a break for it. But I hope that she has only good luck in her new home, because she seems like a seriously awesome person - an not just because she has the same Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Mythology-heavy TV obsession that I do.

6:23 pm - Made it safely to the end of "Bad Luck Street" in one piece. And there is my office on the other side of the tracks.

7:25 pm - Watching last night's episode of Law & Order while I prepare dinner. Is it just me, or when they post this at the beginning of an episode does said episode almost always seem to mirror something that was in the news about 6-8 weeks ago???

10:20 pm - About to start on the 12 of 12 blog and notice my BF Traci's photo albums that I still haven't finished scanning (Sorry Tray! Will finish this weekend, I promise!)

So, thanks for playing and I'm off to bed.