Photo Contest Semifinals-Part 1 [CLOSED]

Welcome to the first voting day for our photo contest!  Here’s how it works:

• You will see a new set of pictures each day, from now until Saturday.  Each day you can vote on your favorite picture.  If you have entered a photo, invite others to vote for you!
• To vote, simply leave a comment with the name of the photographer.
• One comment equals one vote, and please only vote once per day. *honor system people!*
• And one more thing: Voting will only last 24 hours from the moment the entry is posted.  After that, all comments will be closed.
• The winner from each round will go on to the Finals, which will be posted on Monday and given 2 days of voting time to pick the winner.

Please enjoy these beautiful photos!!!

by Jean

“This is a little cliche; it’s simply a set of train tracks. I love this picture because it reminds me of my freshman dorm room. These tracks are right outside the dorms I lived in my freshman and sophomore year. I was stuck with 3 horrible roommates that I could never seem to get along with. I would get so stressed out that the only thing that could calm me was my favorite music (Ben Folds, The Decemberists, Ryan Star, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s) and the train going by. Since the tracks crossed the sidewalk that led to the dorms, the conductor (they’re still called conductors, right?!) would sound the horn until it reached the next county. I LOVE the sound a train makes; the horn, the sound of the wheels on the tracks…it’s so beautiful and rustic. I took this photo for a digital photography class I took and loved it ever since.”

by Kelsey

“This is a picture of my son that I took a couple of months ago. He’s 3 and hilarious. This picture isn’t the best picture I’ve taken but it totally stands out as one of my favourite pictures. I just love that look too cool for school and how he’s obviously channeling The Fonz. Eyyy!!”

by Theresa

“This is my (current) favorite picture! About a month ago my free spirited little Layla was playing “Workin’ at the Carwash,” when she decided to see what would happen if…..
I love that even in the middle of the spray I can see her BIG smile. She loved it!”

Pardon Me? by Julie

“This is only one of my favorite photos! I had gotten my first “big girl” camera and took off to the Zoo to try it out and was so happy with this photo!  I love the color and the feeling that I captured this poor flamingo in a delicate moment.  It taught me to always be aware of my subject and just keep clicking because you never really know what you might get.”

by Jennifer

“I’m not sure this is the best picture I’ve ever taken, but lately – it’s been my favorite. This photo has so much of my personality in it, I liked a tightly cropped photo, intense light and a beautiful subject – no matter what it is. Butterflies are some of my favorites because their flight pattern is erratic yet beautiful, they appear misguided but they know exactly where they are going.”

So who’s picture is your favorite?!?!  Jean, Kelsey, Theresa, Julie or Jennifer?  Let the voting begin!

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The Hubs is 30!?!?!?!

Seriously?  My husband is 30 years old today?  I can’t believe it.  I meeeeaaaan…that’s old.  Ok, not really.  I recognize that some of you are 30+ and I may or may not have just offended you.  I don’t think its old.  I think its AWESOME!

In honor of The Hubs’ approaching birthday, we had a little celebration.  A Mexican Fiesta, to be exact.  There were tacos.  I made guacamole.  Corona was being drank like it was water.  The cupcakes were even dressed up for the occasion.  Wanna see the pics?  Yeah, you do!

Sparkler’s for Drew!  The first gift of the night.  Thanks Thomas!

Angela and Catherine

Lisa!  Best. Neighbor. EVER!

Little Thomas is the coolest kid on the block.  For serious.

Jacques.  Smartest kid on the block.

Drew’s co-worker, and my good friend, Ariel.

Thomas rockin’ the sombrero.  (Thanks for the cool hat, Joe and Ashley!)

“Happy birthday to you…..”

Is it just me, or does he kinda look like he wants to slap me in the face right now?

Awwww!  Wonder what he wished for?

He does this for pictures.  Its his thing.  WHY?????

Party on Maura!  Party on Sol!  Party on Angela!  Party on Catherine!

*phone rings* “Dude, its Cheezer!” *answers phone* “Yo, what up!”

Awww!  Evan and Drew heart Joe and Ashley.

The smoking section: Jeremy, Brandy, Emily (loving those chucks!), and Sol.  No, the dog did not smoke, but she wanted to.

*Special thanks to Jeff for letting me use his camera for the night!*

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Where’s the oil?!?!?!

After I drop off a glorious wedding cake on Saturday, The Hubs and I are going here (minus the Texas flag and the camo beach chair):

Where we will have this view (yes, those are oil rigs way far away from the coast):

My family is renting this house for all of next week, and while The Hubs and I can only stay until Monday night, I’m super excited to be able to relax and spend time with my family on Alabama’s beautiful beaches. I just hope the oil holds off for a little while longer.  The fam sent us to do a little inspection to see if there was oil anywhere.  We spoke with a kind woman who said that last week was really really bad…like 10 ft diameter oil globs and tons of tarballs, accompanied by an awful crude oil smell.  But as you can see from the photo above, it is all better now and people are swimming and having themselves a good time.  We did find little tarballs that look like rocks.  This was the largest one we saw:

But we also found spots in the water where the tarballs like to hang out and mingle with each other.

According to the forecast, the oil is headed our direction again.  But the moral of this story is that we can still enjoy our beaches…we just have to take it a day at a time.  Its going to be this way for a long, long time.

P.S. I can’t wait to see my wonderful family!!!  I miss you guys!

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“My Country Tis of Thee?” or “Farty Party?” Tough call.

So I auditioned for my favorite Broadway villain of all time last night: Ms. Hannigan, from Annie.  She hates kids.  She loves vodka.  It works!

And while I was there, they also had me read for the part of Lily, Rooster’s girlfriend and fellow crook.  She’s blond and ditsy, and packs one hell of an attitude.  So I said, “Why not?”

The reading part went well.  I felt like I did the best I could do, what with the three seconds you have to look over the material and zero remarks from the director.  You just have to wing it, which is exactly what I did since I have zero acting experience.  Sure, I’ve sang and danced on stage, but the only acting I did was make certain faces: happy, sad, seductive…you get the point.

The singing part of the audition?  Oh, that was hilarious!  I had no clue that this theatre required you to bring your own music until I was in the car on my way there.  So me and my buddies were racking our brains to figure out what I was going to sing.  In my head I was thinking of American Idol.  Singing a capella in front of a few judges is really a terrible experience.  I meeeeaaaan!

So we decided on “Oh, Happy Day!”  I was using Sister Act II for inspiration.  Love that kid in his African ensemble.  He stole the show!  Right?  Right.

I thought, “Okay, I can do this!  Its just a few simple lines with an easy melody.  I got this!”

Before I go any further, I would like you to read the lines that my birthday twin, Jake (also in the car with us), wanted me to sing:

Everybody loves to play

A game called Farty Party!

So come on, kids, and let’s all play

A game called Farty Party!

In retrospect, this may have been a better song choice than what they made me sing after my glorious “Oh, Happy Day!” solo.  Here’s how the singing part of the audition went:

Director: Um…Evan?

Me: Yes sir, that’s my name!

Director: Alrighty then.  Did you bring any music?

Me: Naaaaah, its all up here. *points to head* I got this!

Director: Mmmmmkay.  Please begin.

Me: Wait!  Let me just preface this by saying that I had no idea I was supposed to bring music until I was on my way, so I came up with a few lines…I mean, I didn’t write them, of course, but its just a few lines!”

*crickets*

Me: Okey dokey.  Ummmm…  Ok.  Ummmm… *siiiingiiing*

*crickets*

Director: Hey Bob, why don’t you play something for her on the keyboard.  I want to hear more of her amazingness. (He may or may not have said “amazingness.”)

Bob: Sure thing, Mr. Director Man.  Hey lady, you know “My Country Tis of Thee?

Me: Ummmm…maybe?

Bob: *plays and sings the first line*

Me: “Oh, THAT “My Country Tis of Thee!”  Yeah, I totally know it!

Me: *siiiiiingiiiing*

*crickets*

Director: You’ll hear from me by the end of the week, whether you get a part or not.  Goodnight.

Me: Sure thing, Mr. Director Man!  Have a nice night!

The End.  I’ll let you know what I hear, but I’m not expecting anything.  It was a fun experience, though!  I knew I should have sang “Farty Party!”

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Photo Contest (and a prize!!!) [CLOSED]

As you know, I love taking pictures.  I love making things (and people) beautiful through the eyes of the camera.  That’s why I decided to have a photo contest, featuring all of my favorite internet peeps: YOU!

I will be accepting entries this week (see rules below) and you all will be voting next week.  The winner will receive this:

This adorable camera necklace has been donated to our contest by Marianne from the Etsy shop, ChinaCherie.  I absolutely adore her jewelry, especially her love of bird jewelry, and asked her if she would be willing to part with this necklace.  She said yes (in quite a few sweet words), and I’m super excited!  I’m even buying one for myself.  The winner can choose either a gold or silver necklace.

Here are the entry rules:

1) Send me your favorite photo (taken by YOU) in an email to anerdlikeme@gmail.com.

2) Include the following:

• photo (any subject allowed, such as children, scenery, food, etc…just no nudity, please)
• a brief explanation of why this is the best picture you’ve ever taken, or why it is simply your favorite (this will be on the blog, so make it good)
• your name, email, and blog address (if you have one)

3) Entries will be accepted until midnight on Sunday, June 27.

4) Tell you friends about it so they can enter too!!!  The more the merrier!

I can’t wait to see your entries!

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For the dads…

Dear Dad,

Papa Bill,

Bigdad,

and the best father-in-law ever,

You guys rock.  And I love you all very very much.

With love,

Ev

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Internship-slash-life questions…

I just sent the following email to this company with the above heading as the email subject.  What the hell was I thinking?!?!?!

Kerry,

Hi!  First of all, please know that this is not my internship application.  This is just a girl wanting to figure out what in the world this whole publishing biz has to offer.  Besides, if I just submitted an application without properly introducing myself, you would probably see “biology degree,” “science teacher,” and “cake decorator” as just causes for shredding the app asap.  I would completely understand that reaction, so please let me introduce myself before you do anything rash…like click “delete.”

My name is Evan Davis.  I live with my husband and two dogs in Mobile, Alabama (Perhaps you’ve heard of it? We have oil in our water and stuff. Good times!).  Yes, I do have a biology degree and I was a teacher for one year.  For the record, that was the worst year of my life, which is why I’m decorating cakes now…because it does not involve crazy teenagers…usually.  I love science and I love animals, but my true passion?  My true passion is reading.  I’m always reading.  The husband and I have had to set up a special date night once a week just so that I keep my nose out of the books and my focus on him every once in a while (TMI?).  My genre of choice is Young Adult and my favorite authors are Suzanne Collins, Cassandra Clare and Libba Bray (bet you thought I’d say Stephenie Meyer?!?!?!).  Suzanne Collins in my favorite because I can tell she has some serious science background – 6-foot tall rats, talking cockroaches, mockingjays?  She’s all about the science.

Anyway, the point of this long, drawn-out, too-much-information-email is this:  I want a career in literature.  I sure as hell am no author, but I am a passionate reader who knows what works.  So if I can’t write the books, I want to be involved in finding the talent and getting some amazing books published so that the rest of the world (me included) can enjoy them.  And here’s my question: What can I do?  How can I do it?  And if I were to apply for your internship, what are my chances (what with zero lit background and whatnot)?

Thank you for your time.  I really do appreciate it!
Ev

P.S. I’ve been searching the internet for a bit and did not have a single shred of courage to write an email like this to anyone else, but something about the Levine-Greenberg website felt so…cozy.  You seem like good people.

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Camille

You’ve seen the movie, Annie, right?  I’m mean seriously.  Who hasn’t seen Annie?  Well, I may be on an Annie kick right now because I’m auditioning for the part of Ms. Hannigan this coming up Monday, but that’s beside the point.

See, all my life I’ve loved this movie, but I’ve always been fascinated with this one particular part…the part where Daddy Warbucks takes Annie to the movies.  There is this old black and white film playing on screen, starring the fabulous Greta Garbo.  I’ve seen a couple of clips of that film from Annie, but it wasn’t until I watched it again a couple of weekends ago that I caught a glimpse at the title: Camille.

Naturally, I searched my cable for it, saw that it was coming on, and DVR-ed it for a lovely date night with The Hubs.  Fellow Nerds, I just finished watching Camille and I want you to watch it.  I want you to watch it real bad.  It will make you cry, but its worth it.  Just watch it.  And in case you can’t remember the part in Annie that I’ve mentioned, just play the clip above…but do yourself a favor and skip to the 6:45 mark.  That’s where Camille starts.  (And sorry about the french subtitles…sometimes YouTube isn’t as giving as one would like.)

What are you waiting for?  Do it.  Now!  And then leave a comment with your thoughts.  Have you seen Camille?  Are you as obsessed with Annie as I am?  Do you want to say hello???

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L.O.V.E.

You should know that I wasn’t planning on blogging today, but since I woke up thinking it was Saturday, only to realize that its actually Friday, I decided that I need a little L.O.V.E. right now.  This has been an uber crappy week.  Let’s start the weekend off right, shall we?

1. Strawberry Chapstick – I can’t get through my day without this stuff.  Last year, my best friend became a Mary Kay rep and asked me to attend a makeover session.  I went, because I love her, but the lady started blabbing about Chapstick and how its bad for you and how you should buy Mary Kay Satin Lips instead.  Well!  Satin Lips may be awesome, but at that price and the amount that I use lip junk, it would be insane to switch.  So, Mary Kay Satin Lips can suck it.  Chapstick is WHERE ITS AT!

2. 2nd cup of coffee – I do not enjoy this often, but today is one of those days.  I may even have a 3rd.  Gettin’ a little crazy over here!

3. Mondays – I’m off on Mondays, which officially makes it my favorite day of the week.  I do everything I need to do on Mondays and it is usually quite relaxing.  Dear Monday, thank you for your awesomeness.  See you soon!

4. Crescent Theater – This is Mobile, Alabama’s only locally owned independent movie theater.  It has one room for watching movies, instead of 20.  Added bonus: You can drink alcohol there!  Oh yeah.  They took it to a whole…notha…level.  They always have really great movies, but they shocked the hell out of me when I found out they will be doing a midnight showing of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse!”  Not only will they be giving away prizes and t-shirts, but one room means very few people, compared to the big business theaters showing it in every single room they have.  Yeah, this is going to be more amazing than I was originally anticipating!  If you live in Mobile, tickets go on sale today!!!

5. Percy Jackson – I just finished reading the final Percy Jackson book last night.  I cried a little.  There were sad parts and happy parts.  All in all, I say “Bravo, Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon!”  (Did I just completely geek out on you guys?!?!  My bad.  I will try to reign in the geek-ness….until Harry Potter comes out in November.)

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Queen of the ninjas???

So I’m a ninja-in-training.  Did you know that?  I tested for my taekwondo green belt last night, and I felt the need to fill you in on all the gory details.

First, I was not very confident for this test because I missed 1/4 of classes this testing cycle.  A testing cycle is 8 weeks, and I missed the first week due to overall busy-ness and the 4th week due to our trip to Philadelphia.  So as you can imagine, I wasn’t exactly the Karate Kid last night.

Second, I bombed.  I mean seriously.  In taekwondo we do what is called a “form” for the test.  There are many forms and we learn a new one each testing cycle.  The form is sort of like a karate dance routine.  Every move must be sharp and done correctly, down to the way you are standing and the direction of your feet and hands.  You perform this 3 times for the judges…and my first two times were AWFUL!  It was not good.  It was…..not good.

Third, I busted my ass during sparring.  I was sparring with my friend Tara, showing off to the judges, when she decides to send a round kick up to my head.  As I swerve to get out of the way, I trip over my own two feet and land flat on my face.  Her kick NEVER EVEN HIT ME!  Fail.

Fourth, I couldn’t break my boards.  It was my first time having to break boards for the judges and I had only recently learned.  Its a lot of pressure to get up there and do that.  I didn’t even know the proper etiquette!  The good news is, I broke one of my boards with a back-hand strike…but the round kick…well, let’s just say I kicked the board-holder’s hand harder than the board.  It wasn’t pretty.  (Sorry, Mrs. Davis!)

And finally, to finish everything off, I cried.  CRIED!  In front of 12-year-olds who busted through those boards like they were NOTHING!  I couldn’t stop the tears, they just came out, and I was so damn mad at myself for that.  UGH!

Moral of the story: Sometimes, even when you look like an idiot, you can still qualify to be a ninja.  Amen.

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