March 30, 2012

An eye for detail...


"Life is not significant details,
illuminated by a flash, fixed forever.
Photographs are."

--Susan Sontag





"Focused on Details"
(Self Portrait #13)



True, but I am fixated on details whether it is in photography OR real life.  "Control Freak" is thine name, with a middle moniker of "Perfectionist".  Type A personality is a kinder, gentler way of putting it.  Details create the big picture, success is in the details could easily be my mantra...ooooohhhhmmmmmm, exhale.  I have a hard time trusting anyone who can't be bothered by details or tells me not to sweat the small stuff.  Fifty-two years is a lot of sweating, I SHOULD easily be a size 2 as a result.  An important detail...I'M NOT!!!

Today I am combining both my self portrait project with my "Project 52", which just happens to have the topic of "detail" this week.  So I thought I would ramble a bit about my natural tendencies, while trying to not go into TOO much detail.  I can feel the sweat coming on.

It's hard not to examine all the details when you are trying to attempt a self-portrait.  The crooked nose, a result of me taking on a window and the window winning.  The wrinkles around the eyes, Clarins anti-aging super hydrating cream, you're not so super. Worry lines between my eyes, soooo much to worry about when you are hijacked by details and your mind races in so many different directions.  Did I mention I have a 35th high school reunion coming up next month?  How did THAT little detail creep up on me?  Which means in preparation I did 770 crunches, logged 20 miles on the treadmill and elliptical, rotated thru my ipod play list 5 times, silently muttered 10 curse words (4 were REALLY good curse words), and gulped 13 bottles of water all at the gym this week....and then I cursed again, just because it was a very detailed and explicit curse word that felt good to repeat.

Then there is the question of what to wear to the reunion.  There are 34 dresses hanging in my closet and 64 pair of shoes (because the Better Half is known to check in here occasionally, I am under estimating the shoe count using the same method I use to under estimate my weight).  The devil isn't in the details, it apparently is in my closet as I have NOTHING TO WEAR!  Do you know the statistical probability of that occurring?  Apparently it's pretty high!  I tried on 6 different possibilities last evening, and got stuck in 1 due to the zipper.  The Better Half received the 1 phone call from me he's been waiting 30 years to get  "Can you come home and help get me out of my dress?" He was home in 10 minutes.  I then had to inform him in detail FOUR times "that is NOT what I meant!".  What is the statistical probability of him misunderstanding me?  99.9%.



"Clothes for my Toes - Detail" 

436 classmates, 2% of which I still hang out with on occasion.  But my best times are with my 1 BFF from high school, 2 bottles of wine, and sharing the details of our lives.  I don't need a reunion for that OR the perfect dress.  The shoes?  I should be able to find at least 3 pairs in my closet for detail sharing outings that would be perfect.

Thirty-five years have passed since high school. Thirty-five years of details.  I don't think I had as many "details" clogging my brain back then.  I also didn't have as many dresses or shoes clogging my closet.  How that many years can pass by so quickly is ONE detail I'd rather not think about too much.  I can feel the stress lines between my eyes tensing up already.

Happy Friday!

--Kathy

35 comments:

  1. I absolutely loved this post! Great selfie, once again, and those shoes - detail LoVe!! I'm just a few years behind your 35th.....yikes! lol That's a detail I think I want to forget... ; )

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  2. Lovely profile shot and great lighting!

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  3. Great post! Love your selfie and those shoes are just gorgeous, fanastic detail shot. Have fun at your reunion!

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  4. First, I love the photos and second the words are fabulous! So glad I found you through In the Picture. Your post put a smile on my face :)

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  5. Ohhh so gorgeous!! Really love these images especially the close up of you.

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  6. Oh honey, honey you really do worry about the details....I should tell you to ease up, but unfortunately I think I fall into the same category. Terrific "details" in this post....again, made me giggle especially at the phone call to the Better Half...have a great weekend and take a deep breath.

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  7. I hear you!! Although I know it's easy to focus on those things- you should also remember the details that make you happy, proud & perfect. I'm sure they outweigh the ones you are focused on.

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  8. You are waaaaaaaay too hard on yourself! But of course, I'm the same way with myself. I think you look very young!

    I didn't even go to my 35th reunion. It was either last Summer, or the Summer before. I'm too old to remember anything anymore. HAHAHA
    Although it was a thousand miles away, and I could have made it, I just really didn't want to go. Love the shoes! Another cute post!

    Have a great week-end!

    hugs

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  9. If it helps at all I'm a detail person too. I like to call myself an anal-retentive, Virgo, perfectionist. It's a trifecta of trouble....so noted by worry lines of my very own.
    When I saw your selfie, I did not see a crooked nose, worry lines or any other "fault" you may have noted. I saw a really pretty image with lovely model. I love the way your hair frames your face and creates a beautiful organic diagonal thru the image. Hey girl hey...you're working it.
    As for reunions, I went to my 25th and thought-you know I'm good. I let the 30th pass by opting for dinner the next evening with 3 close friends from those HS years. I had way more fun with them than I would have in a big group of small talk.
    I'm sure you'll find the perfect thing to wear-think comfort-it's uncomfortable enough at those things without a scratchy dress and tight shoes.
    Great weekend to you.

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  10. OMG I LOVE this post! I love all of your posts really. I had my 25th high school reunion last year. I don't know how that happened. But I like your perspective on it - 25 years of DETAILS since I graduated.

    Can't stop laughing about your phone call to your husband!

    Your self portrait is beautiful. I'm supposed to take one too and I'm thinking of ways to not do a full on face portrait lol.

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  11. I haven't been to a HS reunion since my 20th which was (gulp) a lot of years ago. Let's just say my class is waaaaaaay past its 35th! But if you're selfie is anything to go by, you are beautiful! I agree with Susan about what to wear - something comfortable that makes you feel good. Thanks for the laugh - your phone call to your Better Half and its aftermath was too funny.

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  12. Kathy remember "ohhhhhmmmmmmmmmm" and breathe! You'll be smashing!

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  13. You will be one hot mama... for sure! LOVE your new blog header btw....your selfies are amazing. I don't like other people taking my photo any more....i've been in front of the camera way to long...I like the control! Does that make me a control freak to a degree???

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  14. Great post. Love the shout to the husband. He's going to fix the rest of your zippers. Great self portrait.

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  15. Love the self portrait. And those shoes are totally cool! You'll knock them dead at the reunion for sure.

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  16. Amazing shots! You captured it so beautifully.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  17. I just love that self-portrait!

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  18. I guess I didn't realize you and I were the same age -- you want to see a crooked nose? Just look at my face! Lol. (But I was born with mine.)

    I went to my first hs reunion when I was 28 -- that was enough for me. I don't have any contact with anyone from those days.

    Gorgeous self portrait -- I was going to ask if you cut your hair, but I think I see it pinned up in the back. Whew! :)

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  19. Such lovely photos you've shared!
    Love the detailing of the shoes...
    and you? you are simply beautiful!
    -visiting from in the picture.

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  20. oh i love the pictures of you, sharing a little more of that gorgeous face. my 35th was in september, i didn't go. one of my closer friends said lets have breakfast in the morning, of course i said yes!! 22 people were at that breakfast, i had no idea and i would have never gone, i did not enjoy it!! i like small crowds, more intimate gatherings. i can't handle the competition from high school, and all the talk about weight and age!!

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  21. You don't have anything to worry about - you are beautiful, as are those shoes!! I can so relate to the perfectionist curse and the hyper-thinking mode. I envy you the fact that you went to one high school and remain friends with some of them. I was a military brat and moved three times in four years of high school (not conducive to being invited to a high school reunion...lol). I hope you have a fantastic time!

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  22. #1 Those shoes are GORGEOUS #2 Let me know if you succeed at not buying another pair just for the reunion #3 I think I would have rigged up something to help me get out of my dress. ;-)

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  23. a fun post, and great shots!
    thanks for linking up at {in the picture} this month!

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  24. Really liked your self portrait. Do amusing about your husband rushing home for an activity he THOUGHT you intended!

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  25. I just love you photos.. Your selfie shot looks amazing. I do hope you have a smashing time at your reunion..

    Hugs~

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  26. I love your pix and just as you put it you have great eyes of details. And I understood that notion of fixation on details with a perfectionist trait. I'm pretty much lit that too. Glad to have know you via the in the picture project. :)

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  27. I love your post...so much fun to read.
    Fantastic images, the shoes are amazing.

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  28. Those shoes get my seal of approval! As does you new blog look. Have a great time at the reunion.

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  29. Not only are you creative and a fantastic photographer...you are beautiful. WOW! : )

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  30. Um... No doubt you will be the bell of the ball! Honestly, you are stunning! I mean super beautiful Kathy. And I love your writing. And those shoes! Oomph!!! To DIE for!!

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  31. your selfportrait is beautiful, great light, and great post too

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  32. I would have cut myself out of that dress before I called my main man with a message like that. Wouldn't want him to have a 'wild with joy' heart attack on the way back to the house! lol As for reunions . . . if I haven't kept in touch over the years, that means I really don't care what lies you want to tell me now. I'm not good at aimless 'chit-chat'. Sounds like I am anti-social, right? No, just like to spend my time meaningfully! I have GREAT high school memories and I don't want them clouded with hearing a bunch of old people (except for me of course) reminiscing! Wear what you want, act like yourself and just bring your portfolio. They will be blown away!

    ~~ from a fellow detail-oriented, I'm ignoring the big picture person.

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  33. Love the clothes for my toes - gorgeous shoes + great photo.

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