Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Things to ponder....

Over the years I have researched a lot of stuff about the human brain, how it reacts and responds to different things, lots of interesting studies on human behavior and such. Another thing I have researched and have become quite passionate about is knowing and understanding the chemicals you consume, put on your body, and expose yourself to, that involve our everyday. I would like to use this blog to share with you what I do know about the things that I have researched. Just as a point of interest and something to ponder... So, just a starter, here is something I just picked up on the net that I found interesting.




"We subject ourselves to *'acoustic startle response' each morning we're roused by the unpleasant sounds from an alarm clock. This abuse can, in the long run, induce cardiovascular and digestive distress.

We also become mentally combative when we're pummeled with noise, such that the World Health Organization notes aggressiveness as a health risk of noise. Additionally, other cognitive functions are sacrificed in the presence of noise-induced anger.

Psychologist Arline Bronzaft's research has shown that, in the case of a school located next to a train track, students' performance is hampered by noise. On the quieter side of the school, students performed at a reading level higher than the students on the train side. When measures were taken to insulate the noise-affected students, their performance evened out.

Beyond this, stroke victims have also been reported to have increased visual awareness when listening to preferred music, and surgery patients have reported less pain while listening to nature sounds.

The takeaway? Take measures to calm your mind and body by using more soothing sounds to wake you up in the morning. And whenever possible, try drowning out noise by listening to something pleasant. Your brain will thank you!"

*The mental state of suddenly aroused awareness; manifested by a flight or fight or submit pattern of behavior and posture.

Taken from Luminosity.com


I myself have always found this to be true, very sensitive to noise. I have seen how a person with non aggressive tendencies can turn to feeling aggressive from the agitation from certain noise. I have to work with music (music I like) when I'm doing just about anything. And I ditched the alarm clock way back in junior high!! I found when I woke to it I suffered from very high anxiety (while waking up to it) and that stopped when I got rid of the alarm. While attending school my mom always woke me up. Now, I traded in the obnoxious BEEP BEEP BEEP for my song of choice on my cell phone alarm!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Cheryl and Laine






Cheryl and Laine met at the westerner fair in Red Deer a few years ago, and thought it would make a great location for their engagement photos! Cheryl had a session with me last summer and she made such a good 1950's pinup I thought we should do it again and cheesecake it up at the fair!! Congrats on the engagement!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Zach and Courtney










I had so much fun at this wedding! And what a relief considering how my day started....

As my roommate and I were loading my things into my vehicle, a wasp flew by and almost landed on my hand. This all happened during the transfer of camera bag from hand to hand. Needless to say, I yoinked my hand away like a little girl just as my roommate let go of the bag.... and the bag falls ever so gracefully to the concrete driveway. And I smashed my good lens :( ... I have other lenses, but that was my good lens! So I panicked because I had to be there in less then an hour and I wanted to stop by Mcbains which wasn't open yet. So, I called my bride saying I would be a little late, and sure enough I was reminded that I wasn't to be there for another two hours. I was looking at the wedding info from the week before. oops. What a dummy.

So it was in fact fine that I waited around for Mcbain to open. Now I had to figure out how I was to afford the new lens, because I was broke as broke can be. So with no cash in my account and Visa limit... kinda iffy, I decided to try swiping the visa. YES! crossing my figures worked! Visa approved, and I was on my way to Innisfail!

I was a bit worried about my bad energy that day but I went about my business and did just fine! The bride and groom and their familys were so much fun and a pleasure to work with!

It was a very long and very hot day. By the time I left I was exhausted. When I got into my van and started to drive away, I realized I was on empty, and was quite worried I wouldn't make it back into town. Especially worried since my cell phone died hours ago. But I did. I pulled up to the pump at the Innisfail Petro-can and sat there wondering how I would put gas in the van without any money whatsoever. Knowing there was $0 in my bank account I tried to pre-auth $10 on my visa. no go. I had used up the remainder of my limit buying the lens. I was stranded in Innisfail. I thought to myself, my day didn't start well... why would it end well.... :(

It ended fine though. I was saved and am now indebted to Troy's dad! Thanks dad!!

To enjoy some of the photos from this wedding, please click here! And congats to Courtney and Zach! A very funky, young couple whom I believe are perfect for eachother! Hope you had as much fun as I had!!

oh, P.S. I realize the money situation sounded rather pathetic, but don't worry folks! The debt is not bad at all! It was just bad timing :) .....

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Vintage ads!

I found some really cool vintage ads online and i thought I would share them. Some of them are ridiculous! But very funny. Oh, to be a 50's housewife.... ouch!







































Tuesday, May 5, 2009