If you need something to give you a lift, take a look at this short film--it's done with Lego people and it's very cute.

 

The Arizona Science Center Museum currently has a Lego exhibit with a medieval castle theme, but we haven't been there yet. I love castles and also Legos so I am eager to get down to check it out. More info here.

 

I never played with Legos as a kid mysefl, but love them because of all the happy hours they gave our son. Luckily we saved them and now our grandson can enjoy them.

 

I do have a Lego Santa Claus in my Santa collection.

 

I stopped by The3dStudio.com this morning to look at the blog posts; I really enjoy reading what everyone has been working on and finding out what they have on their mind. It would be great to hear more about all the bloggers; when you post your work, tell us about yourself and where you live, etc. Let's get to know each other!

 

Today I decided to look at new stock photos that have been posted--there is great new stuff being added every day. I like looking at one or two specific categories of photos in order to compare how various photographers shoot the same types of items, so I usually check the Products page and then Stock Photos and then I choose whatever specific category I want to view. I look at the photos and try to figure out how other photographers used lighting because I am a very new photographer.

 

This morning I picked the Food category, and was thrilled to see the photo of a Chicago Hot Dog. Both the husband and I were born in Chicago and raised in the suburbs; we now live in Mesa, Arizona. Just yesterday I told him we need to go out for a hot dog lunch soon. We've found a few places like Al's and Luke's that serve Chicago-style fast food, and of course Vito's Pizza Place is right here in Mesa. A friend told me yesterday that John Travolta was at Vito's on Sunday so maybe he also likes Chicago food!

 

We enjoy getting our "fix" of hot dogs and looking at the Chicago memorabilia on the walls at Al's and Luke's while we wait for our food. Warning: If you are used to real Mexican food, beware of Chicago style tamales--they are nothing like a "real" tamale. I think you have to have been born or raised in Chicago to appreciate them. We love them, and we also like authentic tamales like those sold here by The Tamale Store but these two kinds of tamales are VERY different.

 

If you don't know what makes a hot dog a "Chicago" hot dog, here is the "real deal". To be 100% authentic, it has to be a Vienna brand weiner--but real Chicagoans rarely say weiner, to us it's a hot dog. The dog comes in a steamed poppy seed bun. Then it's topped with  yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish--the "neon" green kind if you are being truly authentic. Add chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, dill pickle spear, and 2 or 3 small hot "sport" peppers, then sprinkle with celery salt. NO KETCHUP EVER!!! No chili, sauerkraut, or cheese. And no lettuce--it's not a salad!

 

Oh boy, after typing that description, I am REALLY hungry! To tide me over until lunch time, I will just have to go look at the photo again. It's not 100% correct--there are no poppy seeds on the bun--but it's still a very mouthwatering sight for an ex-Chicagoan!

 

What is the "hometown favorite" food item where you live now or where you come from? Describe it and show us a photo!

 

After reading NaturalPhotoz's WONDERFUL blog posts with helpful tips on promoting your photos, etc. and great photography techniques, I checked my email and found an offer for 500 business cards for $5 from VistaPrint.

 

 

I haven't ordered any cards yet for my photos because I have others I got from Vista Print a few years ago for a different business, but I will write "The3dStudio.com" on the back as NaturalPhotoz suggests. I am just getting started in the stock photography world so I don't have too much to promote for that yet, but I think it's good to spread the word about whatever business ventures you get involved in.  And if it helps out some of the others here at The3dStudio.com, that would be great too.

 

Usually the inexpensive cards have Vista Print's logo on the reverse but it's at the bottom of the card and there's still plenty of blank space. When I purchased my other cards I didn't put my phone number on them so I usually write that on if needed.

 

The cards are great even if you don't have a business, it's much easier when you want to give someone your email address or contact info than having to scramble around looking for something to write on. And it's also handy to have a card to drop in the "fishbowls" you see in so many restaurants--I've won a few free lunches and dinners that way and who knows, maybe the restaurant owner will look at the photos on this site and pass that word along.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Wayne Dyer's latest PBS show, Excuses Begone. It took me a few weeks to get around to watching it because I saved it until I finished an unpleasant project at work; the "reward" was worth waiting for. Most of these shows are repeated during pledge weeks so if it comes on again, I highly recommend it. And don't forget to send some money to your local PBS station during their next pledge drive! I can't imagine life without PBS not only for shows I enjoy but for helping me keep my sanity when my kids were little: Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street were life savers.

 

I've been a fan of Dr. Dyer since his first book, Your Erroneous  Zones, was published in the mid-1970s. I saw him on a TV show, probably Phil Donohue's show. Wayne was so funny and warm and he presented such helpful information in such an easy to understand way and he's only gotten better with time. I usually watch the PBS shows first and then read the books for a "refresher course". My only complaint is that I find his hand gestures on the PBS shows a tad distracting, but the information he presents is so valuable and he's such a kindly spirit that I won't quit watching.

 

One PBS show I found disappointing was the recent series called Wallander. I could not "get" Kenneth Branagh as a Swedish cop and only watched the first episode, though I have enjoyed Branagh in other things. I never heard of the Wallandar books but apparently they are very popular. Since I love mysteries I will try reading one and perhaps it will be less distracting for me in print than hearing a supposed Swede speak with a British accent.

 

Are you a PBS fan? If so what shows do you like?