Patinated Ponies

This is the place where I put my favorite photos that I've taken, and thoughts that I've... thought. Rarely will I reblog, but if a photo or quote is so inspiring, it may find its way on here.

"Patina" is my favorite word, and I, um, really like ponies. I might be five, I might be twenty.

Feel free to email me at: skp5n at virginia dot edu

Oct 19, 2009 10:24pm

Update (2 +'s, 1 -)

+ : My critique in Photo class went well today. Once I get my prints back, I’ll try to scan a few and put them up here.

+ : I rode a horse I had never ridden last week - Mancha - and she is now officially my new fave. She reminds me of Tinkerbelle - fast, responsive, and makes me feel like a rock star because I’m not afraid to take chances on her. On a more general note, polo has been consistently filled with good days at the barn. I’ve really improved, and I’ve become less of a weenie. Life (or at least life relating to polo) is fabulous.

- : My LSAT score was abysmal. We’re talking ten points lower than what my low-ball guess was. I felt so in the zone, and the test really did feel easy. So I don’t know what happened. And I’m getting all panicky and worrying that maybe I’m not actually cut out to be a powerful, rich, polo-playing art lawyer. Maybe I’m just not smart enough. With this score, my reach is even not likely to accept me. I had some hysterical crying fits, in which I really did act like a bad LSAT score was the End of the World, but I’ve since calmed down. And yet, I’m still at a loss as to what the hell I’m going to do about it. I’m going to try to take a class, if the times work, and retake the test in December. That will put me at sending applications in by January 1. Which is… two and a half months later than my ideal time-frame. I’m worried that the pressure will get to me, and that I’ll do just as badly on the next test. If that happens, I can’t possibly see myself applying this year. I’m not 64th percentile. And I’m not going to a 64th percentile kind of school. So, if the unthinkable happens, I’ll take some time off. Teach English somewhere overseas, or something else that just won’t be possible when I’m arthritic and wrinkly. This ambiguity scares the youknowwhat out of me. But as much as I want to run away from it, to give up the notion of law school entirely and just wallow, I’ve got to buck up. And order more tests online. Crap.

Sep 20, 2009 9:37pm

(Sadly I can't post this as a photo post just yet)

I love the SLR!!! It’s so fun to be able to adjust all the different factors, especially focus and shutter speed. My photos are so clear and crisp.

I made contact sheets of my two most recent rolls of film, and got some great shots! Maybe once I get a few more good prints made, I’ll try to scan them and upload them here.

Hooray!

Sep 6, 2009 10:48pm

Practice LSAT score’s going up. Next on the agenda is to just stop being so stressed about it. Baby steps.

Sep 2, 2009 9:07pm

I developed my very first roll of film today in Photography class. And, miracle of all miracles, I managed to do it without messing up any of the film.

Our first assignment was to go to a place, any place, that was approximately 15x15’, and take pictures only within that space.

This is not one of those photos. It was taken with my digital camera, at a polo match in Italy. But I took pictures at the polo barn, and I hope my photos from an old SLR turn out this beautifully. The negatives look good, but I won’t know for sure until we make our contact sheets (and maybe some big prints) on Monday!

Aug 26, 2009 4:04pm

Good Housekeeping's Short Story Contest

“Babies I Didn’t Have” might just be perfect for this!

giraffesgiraffes:

Heck, I have nothing better to do in the next couple weeks, besides sewing and home improvement projects and picture scanning. I bet I could write a story about the lives of women today that Jodi Picoult would like, having read a bit of one of her novels. Probably not as good as unlucerovespertino’s stories, but decent. Let y’all know if I come up with anything.

unlucerovespertino:

I think I might do this. Though that means I have only 20 days or so to write a 3,500 word story.

Jul 29, 2009 10:59am

I’ve been bitten by the radioactive spider, so to speak.

Jul 27, 2009 3:47am

26 Luglio 2009

Mi manca il polo!

Jul 27, 2009 3:46am

26 Luglio 2009

Great day at the Monte Argentario Polo Club. That is, before I missed my train home and bleary-eyed had to figure out another way back to Siena. But this morning, even that can’t dampen the beautiful island, the beach, and the polo.

Jul 21, 2009 3:05am