READ THIS!

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

beautiful day

Life is too short not to spend random days at the beach!



I awoke yesterday morning with a work hangover. My feet were pounding from the long hours that I had shot over the past few days. I knew that I had to work later, so I decided to drag my dog to the beach really early, so I wouldn't see anyone I knew and walk in the ocean for a few minutes to relieve my mind and body. I ran into my friend, Janis, and her husband, Steve, on Coast Highway while they were looking for a spot to park their Cortez trailer for the day. It was such a beautiful morning, but I had to work. When I got to work, they said that I could take the day off! So back I went to the beach to relax and catch up with my friends!

Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: "Big Wednesday"

My Letter to the Editor
check out my letter. I just wanted to have some fun at the street fair and maybe sell a few photos and meet people!

Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: "Big Wednesday"

www.ronnieslavin.com

"Big Wednesday"

As some of you know, I photographed the Ventura Pier getting torn apart by 20' waves in 1995. Since then, I have had lots of interest in the photograph, including having a 20x30 copy of it hanging at the restaurant on the pier itself. I decided this year to submit an application to the City of Ventura for their annual 4th of July Street Fair. I was looking forward to it. Meeting people and selling this photo. I even had to get a resale number to do so. Well they turned me down. I think because I only submitted a photo of my photo and not a photo of my workshop or booth...I have neither since I was only going to create a booth once I got approval to be a participant. I guess the city would rather see vendors with the same old thing at every fair, not local, real artists. I once submitted the photo for a fundraisor calender for the Ventura Pier and was turned down as well....seeing as many people have wanted this photo over the years, kinda makes me wonder who decides who gets to sell and who doesn't. I had donated on 2 years ago for the "Pier into the Future" fundraisor that they had for the Ventura Pier and they were soo happy to get it!!!!!!!! okay, another peave about Ventura art: what's with the "art" at the SCAT Transit Center at the Pacific View mall? WHO decided to spend money on a sculpture rather that an overhead enclosure to shield the people who really use the SCAT????My son's had to wait in rain and hot sun next to this sculpture that does nothing for the real people who have to ride the bus.....If Ventura wants to be an "Art City" then it better get behind real people.

Santa Barbara Sunday

Today I shot a wedding with Stephanie at the Santa Barbara Court house. I got there early, so I took the elevator to the top of the court house, and took these. The one of the hillside is actually the hospital that I was born at, St. Francis. Cottage Hospital has purchase it and they are going to tear it down and put in condos for their doctors and employees. :( At least they will have a view! Then I went to dinner with my sister to Brophy Brothers in the harbor. It was a nice evening!

my style

I went to a photographer's meeting in Santa Barbara this week and these are the comments that I had about my work: Fun, photo journalistic, classic, great use of the environment. These comments were from other photographers that viewed my work and didn't know who it belonged to :)

Saturday Night Live

Okay, I am done for today! It was hot yet beautiful in Santa Barbara when I shot a wedding today. We took East Camino Cielo at the top of San Marcos Pass all the way along the crest of the mountains in Santa Barbara. We stopped at Ranger Station halfway through!! What a view. Like being in a plane, but Channel Islands were behind a haze. Then we drove rest of way across mountains to Montecito!! I just got new tires and now I probably will need more....lots of potholes! Now I'm gonna walk my dog and watch SNL. My son shot a wedding today and saw Chris Knight and Adrienne Curry, but he didn't care. I love them! I am a closet reality show junky ever since I had surgery on my ankle.

Caldino Family photos

This family was soo sweet and I love the necklaces that they wore. Here's a link to see some of their photos. Aloha.

Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: this will make you smile! watch it gets better....

http://amcvideo.com/weddings_blog/?p=30