Winter 2022 At the Japan House

Even though spring is less than a week away, I have photos taken during winter that I’d like to share. This year’s winter started slow then decided to sock it to us in the form of a huge winter storm in February and another ice - snow storm two weeks later.

 

 
Honestly, I really like snow - the white brightens the dull landscape and when sun gets mixed in, there’s so much brilliance to enjoy. During the mid February storm, we received almost a foot of snow over 2 days. I opted to work from home and took some time to shoot snow selfies as the snow was falling. This was shot in my backyard with the iPhone 13 Plus in selfie portrait mode. I really like the results.

 

 

 

 
After two days of active snowfall, the sun came out so I invited two friends to visit the Japan House. We visit here often, mainly in the Spring and Fall. I had been waiting for a snowfall to complete my "seasons at the Japan House" Photo series.

 

 

 

 

 
Two weeks later and a snowy Sunday morning found us back. Friend My, texted me unexpectedly in the morning and after a pause, I kicked the lazy Sunday morning inertia to the curb and headed out. What an enchanting morning - snow fell lightly at first then suddenly we were blanketed by soft fluffy flakes. We were so happy to have gone out on this photo walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Finally, here's another snow selfie with my photo partner in crime, My.

 

 
Winter may be gone but not forgotten!

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Selfies Using Camera Awesome and the Interval Timer

Most of you who read my blog know that I take photos while I am out running. Occasionally, I take a running selfie and I am often asked how I manage to capture a selfie of me running down the street. Obviously my arms aren't that long and I'm not using a "selfie stick"!

The trick - using an interval timer. With an interval timer, the user sets a time interval (in seconds) and the camera takes a photo once that time has passed. It continues taking photos at that time interval until you tell it to stop.

All of my running photos are taken with my iPhone, but the native camera does not have an interval timer built in, so it's off to find an app. While the similar Self Timer functionality comes pretty standard with most camera apps, an Interval timer is rare. At the time (two years ago), I could only find an Interval Timer on the Camera Awesome app and that is what I've used ever since. You set the time interval from 1 second up to 60 seconds. I normally set mine to 3-5 seconds. In the screen shot below, it is set to 4 seconds.

Camera Awesome Interval Timer

Once I initiate the timer, it counts down to 0, takes the photo, resets the timer, counts down again, takes the photo and repeats until you hit the stop button. The app signals the interval countdown with beeps so you know when the camera is going to take the next exposure. All the photos are stored within the app. Then you choose which photos to keep and export those to the camera roll.

Things can get tricky when determining where and how to place the phone to take the photo. The "best" way is to use a little tripod - the Joby Gorillapod has bendable feet to wrap the phone around posts or other objects. I'll be honest - I own a Gorillapod, but rarely use it (because I'm lazy and I don't want to carry it with me when I run). Instead, I find all sorts of things to prop my phone on - the ledge of a park bench, the lip of a mailbox, wedged in between a rain downspout and the building it is attached to, in a snowbank, in the crook of a tree's branches, just to name a few:

iPhone Wedged in a Tree - Leaves From Branches Framed this "Selfie" Group Shot

iPhone Stuck in a Snow Bank

Note - I protect my phone with a LifeProof case, which allows me to stick it into a snowbank without the fear of damaging it.

So there you have it - my selfie tricks, revealed. The Camera Awesome app has other great features, like filters, frames, etc, but in the end, I mainly use it for the Interval Timer. And the app is free!

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Along My Run | 13 - Cold, Snowy February

Even though I really enjoy running in the snow, I've officially had enough after last month. I thought the 2014 winter season was pretty challenging from a running standpoint, and 2015 has come very close to at least matching it, cold for cold, snow for snow. Since this winter started off mild and snowless, I was lulled into a false sense that an early Spring was eminent.

At the end of January, I thought, if we received some snow, that would be nice - it would be fun to get some more snow runs in.

It snowed on February 1, and as I ran in the falling snow, it was bliss.
Then the relentless, bone chilling winds came one Saturday, during an 18 miler and I thought I was going to die.
The last two weeks of the month were a challenge - I ran in four snowstorms, negative windchills and had to re-route most of my running routes as my normally traveled sidewalks are ice / snow covered.

I think I'm ready for spring.


1. Today's Run Brought to You By the Letter S. Sunday snow, and yes, it was lovely out there., 2. On the Backside of the First Eight Miles , 3. A New Perspective, 4. Rain off the Roof, 5. Their Idea of Hanging Out on The Sandy Beach?, 6. Unexpected Snow And It Was Hill Day, 7. Frosted Selfie , 8. Our Group Run Was Officially Cancelled but We Ran it Anyways. 5" of snow on the ground when we started and big, soft flakes fell throughout our 13 miler. It was amazing., 9. Making Our Way Down Peabody, 10. Unspoiled Stillness, 11. The Post run running group Selfie - Couldn't have gotten through today's 13.1 miles without them!!, 12. Over the River, 13. Pretty Much Done With The Snow. Spring can come any time now!, 14. More Snow Fell Last Night so I Ran in It, 15. Ended Up Going Back to Get the Shot Of The Path We Ran This Morning

And here we are, over a week into March and there's plenty of the white stuff on the ground. A big warm up is expected later this week, with temperatures into the 50s and hopefully it will stay that way.

My monthly running stats:
Total Miles - 116
Average Pace - 9:30 minute / mile

Marathon updates: I entered the lottery for the NYC marathon, but my entry wasn't selected. There was an 18% acceptance rate through the general lottery, so I'm not too surprised. This means I will enter the Chicago Marathon Lottery which opens on March 10. I am currently training for the Illinois Marathon, a mere 8 weeks away! That weekend will be fun - my daughter signed up for the event's 5K and my husband signed up for the half marathon (his first!).

This month's running quotes:
It's about staying fit and pushing yourself to achieve and surpass goals, sure; but it's also about personal and spiritual growth, creativity, mental clarity, and emotional stability. I find these things in running.
– Jamie Quatro

At first, I liked running because it got me into a routine and gave me a chance to think. Eventually, I realized this is my therapy, my time to make sense out of life.
– Alan Peterson

Simply by not quitting, you'll succeed.
– Stephanie Rothstein Bruce

It's important to know that, at the end of the day, it's not the medals you remember. What you remember is the process - what you learn about yourself by challenging yourself, the experiences you share with other people, the honesty the training demands - those are things nobody can take away from you whether you finish twelfth or you're an Olympic champion.
– Silken Laumann

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Along My Run | 3

Back to Memorial Day Weekend:

I've run this path in the winter and it's just as nice in the spring.


I ran with visiting friend, Heather and we enjoyed the view atop the hill:

Running well is a matter of having the patience to persevere when we are tired - Robert De Castella

Memorial Day marked my 47th birthday, and what better way to start off a new year than with a run.


Morning skies.


I hit the road.


And into the country.

The freedom in running - it's the fresh air and the feeling that the only person you're competing with is you - Wilma Rudolph

The quotes are from Runner's World Motivational daily quotes that I receive via email. They inspire me and I hope I've inspired you to see something beautiful along your path today.

Captured While Running Album on Flickr

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It's Me | Dichotomy

Dichotomy - A division into opposing parts.

So I bring a set of opposing themed selfies - warm and cold, sun kissed and snow bound.

First, the warm, sun kissed photos - an all too distant memory from a month ago:






And our current, snow bound and grey state.




Hoping for some more sunny and warm selfie opportunities - soon!

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It's Me | Changes and Braving the Elements

I started taking self portraits last year and I'm continuing this year. My goal is similar to last year's - take a selfie about once a week.

While I've slacked off a bit, I have a few to share.

Braving the elements at the barn - it was windy yet sunny and my hair is really too long.


So less than a week later, I had four inches chopped off.

Even though I don't look happy in the photo above, I am very happy with the shorter hair. Much easier to manage and just in time for a trip to warmer climes later this week.

But for today, it's back to braving the elements. With fresh snow on the ground, I'm looking for something to photograph.

Yeah, I found a bunch to capture - more on that tomorrow!

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December 2012 Selfies and a Look Back at 2012

I'm late posting my December selfies, and I only took three of them this month, but looking back over the year, it has been a tremendous project for me.

Like many mom-photographers, I find myself on the outside - the person behind the camera, never in front of it. As a result of this project, I have almost 80 photos with me in them. That's probably more than the past 5 years combined. I've definitely had fun and plan to continue in the coming year.

Here are December's selfies:

Relaxing with a glass of red wine:


Doing something I do almost every day - blow drying my hair! (I really wanted to capture the "everyday")


Finally, after 10 years of living in Illini country, I have a decent shirt to wear to sporting events. Even if it is orange (which is a terrible color on Asians, but at least now, I'll blend in with the crowd).


Here is a sampling of my 2012 selfies on flickr. Thanks to Christy, aka Urban Muser, for leading up the challenge. I'm looking forward to more in 2013.

In the Picture - Self Portraits 2012, a set on Flickr.

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