Third Eye Blind Fans!!

HELPING THE POVERTY IN SAN FRANCISCO 

BAY AREA

Click Here!!

"Rock The Green" Milwaukee, WI

 My Personal Story Living in the Bay Area 

 About 8 years ago I had lived in the Bay Area near San Francisco, (Castro Valley) and I can say that the poverty level out there is outrageous. 

    I remember driving in Berkley, CA one night near the college campus, and there is literally a whole block of lawn just for homeless people. I couldn't believe my eyes what I was seeing. I've never seen something like that ever in my entire life before, well not in the United States. 

    But, this is the norm out there, I saw it everywhere I went. Oakland, Castro Valley, Palo Alto, San Francisco.. There was not a corner I drove by that I did not see someone homeless. 

   I guess it cuts to my heart because I had a personal experience while living out there, my boyfriend at the time, became homeless after he lost his job and a place to stay from lack of income. 

We were crazy in love. I had a comfortable place to live (I was a Nanny for a family in Castro Valley) and there were times I would drive to meet him in Martinez during the night, just so he could sleep somewhere. And we'd sleep in the car all night. It was fall, approaching winter, and it would get really cold in the hills. However, I could not be with him during the week because of my job, so some nights, I'd lay there in my nice warm bed, knowing the person I loved was sleeping on a picnic table, in the cold, freezing rain, and I'd lay there and cry.

   It was a very humbling experience for me, I will never forget. Therefore, I have a compassion for people that struggle and are trying to survive in this nation.  

   Poverty can happen to anyone. It doesn't matter where you come from, it is a matter of circumstances at times. Yeah we can all make bad choices, and there's a re-action for every action we take. However, when the economy is bad, people lose their jobs, it doesn't matter what education they have, it doesn't matter what kind of talent or skills they have, they can still be forced to live in the streets. 

   And when that happens, it's very discouraging to the soul. You feel you aren't good enough, you feel that no matter how hard you try to find the right job, it just isn't happening. And then you end up asking the question "why me?" Why do I "deserve" this? 

 The truth is, no one deserves it. 

  What happened to compassion in this country? What happened to community living? What happened to hiring someone for their talent and skill, and not just for their attractive appeal that they may have? 

    I had a life-changing experience coming from that job in Castro Valley. The family I worked for, they didn't like that I had a boyfriend who was homeless, and when they found out I was helping him sleep in their car, and giving him money so he could eat and staying in hotels. They "let me go" in concern for my well being, was their excuse. They then asked me "Do you wanna go back to WI or stay here?" I knew if I stayed in California, I'd be homeless as well. 

   I called my boyfriend. He told me to go home to Wisconsin. Well, that meant us not being together anymore. I had a hard decision to make.

  I made that sacrifice. My heart was broken into a million pieces.  I was in love for the first time in my life, I was living in a beautiful city/area that I had fallen in love with as well, and I had to leave it all, or face being homeless. 

   Flying home was the most morbid feeling I ever felt. I felt guilty for leaving someone I loved (especially in a homeless state), I also felt like a failure because it was the first time I was ever let go in that career.

  But, having gone through all that, I learned to know what it's like be helpless. To feel like your life is completely out of our own control. You begin to feel as if your fate is not up to you anymore.. It's a huge level of trust you have to give in to, not only to the divine universe or whatever religion you trust in, but also to the people in your community and city. 

  Not everyone has family that is there for them, not everyone has friends that will take them in every night. It's a sad, depressing world out there for some people. 

 And for people like Mitt Romney to say that 47% of the population "act" like they are victims is so repulsive to me. 

Our country is about to fall, and who is going to be there for us when it does?? 

We can't rely on the government anymore, we have to rely on each other, our neighbors, our friends, our community. 

 YOU are that person. 

There are no more excuses. 

There are so many good things we can do as a nation, but we won't get there until people (rich and poor) learn the ONE golden rule we were told growing up...

"Love thy neighbor as thyself."

Close to Home and my Heart

There's this illusion that homosexuals have sex and heterosexuals fall in love. That's completely untrue. Everybody wants to be loved. ~Boy George

I was 25 years old ...
Attending church every Sunday, participating in college ministries and other things in the church. I lived and breathed in the church. I considered myself a strong, faithful Christian. I had strict views on a lot of things, and wasn't so very open minded at the time.

My Dad sat my sister and me down, and explained my parents were getting a divorce. Okay, I was fine with that and knew things would be more peaceful since all they did was argue and were mean to each other.

Then a few days later, my sister tells me "Did Dad talk to you about coming out of the closet?" My response was like "What? No, he didn't..why didn't he tell me?" That hurt my feelings. Like he couldn't be honest with me to my face.

After I thought about it..I knew why he couldn't tell me. Because of my own opinions and views on homosexuality. I felt bad..and awful. I mean he's my father, he should be able to tell me that stuff. But at the same time, I was confused, upset, and hurt.

It took me two years to accept this situation. All my life I viewed my Dad as a straight man who married and loved my Mom. I didn't know anything different. He never acted gay to me. Both of my parents come from an older generation, so it was something that was never spoken about, not even in families.

It took me about two years, to accept the change that had occurred in my life. I was still living at home at the time, and I resented my Dad a lot. We had a lot of arguments and there was a lot of slamming of doors. Soon after I was told my parents were divorcing, I got a good paying job where I could afford to move out and live with some roommates. I lived about 45 minutes from home for a couple of years. In that time I got a job at Starbucks. I loved that job, and I miss the people I used to work with. We were a team and became close friends for awhile. One of the supervisors I worked with was openly a lesbian, and she was a wonderful woman who had a nice partner and they both seemed really really happy.

At the time I started working at Starbucks, I had stopped attending church and being so involved in everything. I was realizing how close minded of a person I had become. What right did I have to judge someone (especially my father) because they were different? I am not GOD, and no one is perfect, and what we think is imperfect or "not right" may be different than how GOD sees it..

I started accepting my father and his choice of lifestyle, slowly, but surely, I forgave him. Some of the things he's done, he shouldn't have, but you know parents aren't perfect, they're human just like me. My Dad is happier, my Mom is happier. They have remained "friends" on good terms. Forgiveness and acceptance is an amazing thing. Not only what it can do for others, but what it can do for yourself.

Holding a grudge towards someone that you don't know, or understand, or misjudge, has got to be the most painful thing you can do to yourself. Who is it affecting more? You or the person who has chosen to be that way? I know from experience, that I was unhappy feeling that way..but my Dad was happier than he had been for a long time.

I guess because of this experience in my life, I am probably one of the most open minded person you will meet. I don't judge people, I don't hold grudges, I don't condemn people..cause when I do that..I'm the one who's really unhappy, not them.

As for equal rights, I believe that everyone deserves to have a partner and to be happy and have that companionship, if that's something that they need. My religious views have changed quite a bit in the last 5-6 years. I am a spiritual person, I believe in a God or higher power, and I believe that we are all created equal and no one is lesser than another. I believe that we are all here for a purpose and to experience life in different ways, in order to grow and learn.

I know that this experience is one, that has changed me personally in many ways. Most of all, its taught me that a lot of times when we point the finger at someone else for their ways, its ourselves that need to change, not them.

Dedication to Miners of WV

Here is a slide show I did in honor of the miners that were lost, and their families. My prayers and thoughts are with them...Please feel free to share with others and pass it on. Coal miners are the heart of America and what makes this country what it is all about..Hard work and honest pay. They don't get the credit they deserve most of the time.

How Photography Connects Us To Our World

I love National Geographic. And when I was a little kid, I would spend hours looking through the piles of magazines that my Dad had collected, just looking at the photographs. I think I learned a lot about people and the world just by doing that. I remember being as young as maybe 5 or 6 and being emotionally connected to the images.

Here is David Griffon, (the director of photography for Nat'l Geographic) speaking about how photographs connect us to the world around us, and the impact they have on us. I was very excited to watch this. I hope you are as well

David Griffin on how photography connects us | Video on TED.com

Hideaway

Here is a song from one of my favorite bands, Pearl Jam, and lead singer Eddie Vedder. Check out the lyrics and the photos I posted below...

You've got to hide your love away - Eddie Vedder from iLoveCovers.com on Vimeo.

"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" -by Eddie Vedder



Here I stand head in hand
Turn my face to the wall
If she's gone I can't go on
Feelin' two-foot small




Everywhere people stare
Each and every day
I can see them laugh at me
And I hear them say




Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away





How could I even try
I can never win
Hearing them seeing them
In the state I'm in




How could she say to me
Love will find a way
Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say




Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away

My Review of movie: Lovely Bones

I have not read the book, but I intend to, since most people are saying the book is even better than the movie. Which is usually the case with most books that are made into movies.

This movie was so emotionally raw and beautifully done, that it definitely should win some Oscars in my opinion. It will sink into your bones and make you shudder inside..it will also warm your heart and remind you of how important family is. How we take life for granted so much and we forget that it could end at any time. I believe we all have a destiny, a fate, as you want to call it. Some of us are meant to be here a short while, and some of us are meant to be here for a long time.

That doesn't necessarily mean that some have more to learn than others or less than others, it just means that the time we are here on this earth, whatever we do, is what matters. The film also portrays Karma. What goes around will eventually come around. If you put out love, love comes back to you. If you put out evil, it comes back to you. The universe has a way, in-between its dimensions, of working things out. Sometimes it is clear to us, and other times, it takes a while for us to realize what is happening.

You see the life of a girl that was murdered from her side, as she waits for her family to find her killer..and to come to peace with themselves, and her death..once those things have come to pass, she feels that she can cross over and be at peace in the new world that awaits her.

It is certainly not a film for children. I would say it is best for teenagers and adults. It can be very graphic and very raw and emotional. Definitely a movie worth seeing, no matter who you are in this life.

New Project in the Making

If you look at my Flickr photostream to the right, you will see my latest project. I am making a book of this lil guy's adventures. Hoping that it will be out in print and ready to sell by mid-summer. That is my goal, but none the less-we will see what happens!

The book will NOT be a children's book! It is mostly adult humor, fun and cuteness! I will be using lulu.com for my publishing, and will let you all know when it is ready for sale. I will also be selling the book at my flyingcart.com store. See the link at the top of this blog to get there!

Hope you all are having a great week!

Peace,
Kelly

Some needed Inspiration...

Going through a situation right now that has got me confused and emotionally frustrated. So I went on a search for some photos/quotes that inspired me today. Here are the ones that spoke to me the most:

We are the kings and queens of promise...

Here is a photo montage I put together today. I worked quite a few hours on it. I hope it is appreciated and enjoyed. May you all have a great week!

Much love
Kelly

Kings & Queens Photo Montage from Kelly Sebranek on Vimeo.

Branching Out

Hey folks,

People keep telling me that I should sell, so here goes! I am only doing a couple prints right now, just to test the waters. If there are any other photos of mine on my blog, that you would like to purchase, let me know. I will certainly make an effort to put them up for purchase!

http://kellynichole.flyingcart.com/

Hope you all are having a great 2010!!!

Much love,
Kelly

Happy New Year:

Driving home from the airport at the wee hours this morning, I heard a song by Rob Thomas come on the radio. I thought it was perfect, for the beginning of 2010. Here are the lyrics:

"Someday"

You can go
You can start all over again
You can try to find a way to make another day go by
You can hide
Hold all your feelings inside
You can try to carry on when all you want to do is cry

[Chorus:]
And maybe someday
We'll figure all this out
Try to put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to make things better now and
Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud
We'll be better off somehow
Someday

Now wait
And try to find another mistake
If you throw it all away then maybe you can change your mind
You can run, oh
And when everything is over and done
You can shine a little light on everything around you
Man it's good to be someone

[Chorus]

And I don't want to wait
I just want to know
I just want to hear you tell me so
Give it to me straight
Tell it to me slow

Cause maybe someday
We'll figure all this out
We'll put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to just feel better now and
Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud
We'll be better off somehow
Someday

[x2]
Cause sometimes we don't really notice
Just how good it can get
So maybe we should start all over
Start all over again


Been doing some experiments with a "Negative" lens effect on my Sony digital camera. Here are a few of my favorites:



I hope this year finds many of you growing and learning and reaching new heights. Challenge yourself, and conquer some of your fears. It's the only way we grow and become better people. I don't make new years resolutions, instead I think "What can I do this year to better myself a little more than last year?" Also, what things do I need to let go of, and what can I change and what can I not change?

I know with the economy and job losses, times are tough and some are holding on to everything that they have. I have been in that dark pit, and I try and remember and be thankful for the things that I do have, because it can always be worse...as my Mom likes to say.

For me, it's been a crazy year, and there were times of joy and adventure, and times of sorrow and confusion. Hopefully the new year will bring some revelations and fulfillment, along with new adventures and excitement.

I am staying optimistic, I hope you are too!

Peace,
Kelly

"Avatar" the movie: My Reflections

I just saw the movie, "Avatar." I cannot stop thinking about it.

Not only is the movie just epic, and the effects, and plot well done, but it really gets to the heart on some issues...

My head is spinning at where to begin this review. This movie really made me think about life and love and what we value most in this world.

I found myself asking what do I value most? What is most important to me, and to our race as a people? This movie is not just a love story but it's also about being one with your people and the earth and your community. It's a story about believing in someone even when you have lost hope..it's a movie about faith.

Not just faith in a god, but in each other, and faith that love can conquer any obstacle it faces. True love (whether in another person, or a family or community) has the power to find a way to what is important, to what is true and pure.

There is a lot of ugliness in this world, a lot of betrayal and war. Their is a lot of destruction, not only to this earth, but to our souls as well. People have lost sight of why we are here on this planet. We are the caretakers, we are the ones that can protect this planet, and protect each other and the animals that live on it.

I am getting all philosophical now, haha-but it is what I truly feel. I have a heart for humanity, even when it is ugly. I have a heart for this earth and the animals. We are all connected, and that's what this movie portrays.

I think the movie also shows us that our minds and souls are more powerful than we believe them to be. If people would just be more open to the possibilities that the mind is a gift and a powerful tool, who knows what we could achieve. However, the minds of some are not always good, and that can be a danger as well.

The "love story" in the movie is a heartwarming one. It's a bit like the story of Pocahontas. Some of it really hit home to me, but that is something I won't get into. All I will say is that the story encouraged me to keep believing in the things that I know and to hold on to them. It helped remind me, that true love, can overcome any obstacle, if it is a fate, it will find a way.

I urge everyone to see the movie, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and it'll make your heart race! Get ready for a wild ride! ;-)

Peace,
Kelly

Winter Scenes

Here is a photo montage I have done a few days ago. A snowstorm hit the Midwest this week, and the snow was just beautiful...



One of my favorite Christmas music artists "Mannheim Steamroller"

Winter Conversation

by Joyce Wakefield

I listen to you explain the difference
between a right brain thought and a left.
I am distracted by the smell
of cold on your face.
I lick it away like a child
with an ice cream cone
sticky fingers and sweet tongue.

Aware that I have been here before
I pause in your words.
I have slept in this flesh,
dreamed these winter bones.

Waking in the darkness between us
I hear frost sweeping the porch,
edging toward the morning.
I reach for your hand.

What, you whisper, voice hoarse with dream.
My lips, swollen with you, cold,
are silent.

The Sky is the Limit

I've been having a lot of fun creating some really colorful and abstract photographs I've taken of our magnificent atmosphere...I'd like to share a few with you, along with some quotes I've found.





I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir, 1913





Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them. ~Bill Vaughn








And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. ~William Shakespeare

I need the starshine of your heavenly eyes,
After the day's great sun.
~Charles Hanson Towne

The most beautiful view is the one I share with you. ~Author Unknown

The Man I Seek...

Is..

Compassionate: About everything he does. About people, and about life.

Sensitive: To others feelings and points of views.

Open-minded: Doesn't judge others.

Child-like: Isn't afraid to be silly or talk to children and make them laugh.

Optimistic: His glass is half full instead of half empty.

Creative: He uses his mind and talent to make beautiful things out of simple things.

Quirky: He has a sense of humor and a dorkiness to him that makes him different than other guys.

Intimate: Likes to cuddle, and isn't afraid to talk about his feelings when he needs to.

Down to earth: Easy going and not over dramatic or plays games with your head. He is real.

Sexual: Isn't afraid to try new things and express himself in a sexual way.

Handsome: The way he holds himself up and the little things about him, that make him stand out from the others. Or perhaps the way he looks at me :)

Romantic: Creative in his ways of showing how much he loves me, whether its something simple or over the the top, it doesn't matter to me. As long as it's from the heart.

A great kisser: He knows how to hold a kiss and keep you wanting more. ;)

Faithful and Honest: No matter how hard things get, he is there to work it out and support me. Believes in open communication.

Faith: Has faith in "something" that makes him want to be a better person and do good things. That makes him have a heart for the world...

Complete: Makes me feel like I am whole and protected when he is near.

He is...someone, that makes my heart flutter every time he is near, no matter how many times I see his face :)

Quotes & Snapshots

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin








There are three stages of a man's life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus. ~Author Unknown



Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right. ~John Donne




Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense. ~Mark Overby

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt





Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand. ~Emily Kimbrough

May the roof above us never fall in
And may we good companions beneath it never fall out.
~Irish Blessing



I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.
~Vincent Van Gogh

Veterans & Armistice Day Photos

Found these photos online here

These are very powerful and moving. We need to honor those that have fallen, that have given their lives to serve their country.

"Last Wednesday was Armistice Day, when on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month", in 1918, the armistice was signed for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front at the end of World War I. The date is now observed by many of the allied nations from that era as Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day or Poppy Day"
-

My first HDR

I had no idea about HDR photography, until Sergey Poberezhny posted on his blog about it...

So I went on a quest and I conquered...well at least I think I did.

Now, this is my first try, so excuse it if it isn't exactly "great". I thrive on perfection with my photos, so I'm a little edgy about showing this. However I would like opinions on what I could maybe do better?

Some new work of mine

I've been really enjoying playing with colors with my photos. Here are a few of some of my favorites that I've done. You can see more at my flickr website:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellynichole

Just For Fun

Here is a photography website I enjoy venturing to once in a while. I like to put some of these photographs on my desktop once in a while too.

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Gallery&gallery=photography


Here are a few recent ones I thought were pretty amazing:




Having been to Estes Park, recently I thought this was beautiful and the place really is stunning to see!




I love the contrast in this one, and how the lighting worked perfectly in a sepia setting. It's not always easy to achieve.



Care for a drink anyone? I love the colors and the repetition in this one.




Like the color in the black and white setting, I love doing this with a lot of my photos. It really puts the focus on one particular image, almost like you want that certain part of the photo to speak to it's viewers and say something.