About

Vital facts to help you gain deeper insights into my blog…or not

I seem to be doing things out of order – I probably should have started with an “about” page. Better late than never. Here goes:

I am the oldest of three siblings – I’m the only girl.

The Carter Clan circa 1967

I hate paper plates – I would rather run the dishwasher and have my friends eat off of real plates – no matter how casual the occasion. Even if I pick up take out for dinner I put it on a real plate. People are always bringing paper plates to help me out when we have a BBQ or any gathering – I have a whole cabinet full – anyone want them?

I love kayaking – especially all day paddling trips. There’s something awesome about traveling so many miles by the power of your arms – rivers are awesome – a real thrill. But I love going distance on flat water – I feel more accomplishment. I also love that I can load a boat on top of my Jeep by myself – no assistance required – I’m independent like that.

My Kayak on top of my Jeep – ready to paddle into the sunset.

I never wave at people while I’m driving – not because I’m focused on the road or because I’m a snob – I just don’t pay attention to the cars on the road – I’m in the zone – sorry for not waving. I’m the same way at the supermarket – I rarely notice friends before they notice me – I’m on a mission and just don’t look at people. The exception to this are Jeeps. If you are in a Jeep it’s an unspoken code that I must wave to you. It matters not that I have no idea who you are.

When I was a kid it was my dream to be an astronaut – I met Buzz Aldrin when they were touring the moon rocks around the country. Watching the moon landing with my Grandma was one of the most inspirational moments of my childhood. I was in awe and my Grandma told me that girls could grow up to be anything – it was very empowering.

I was voted “class clown” in my graduating class in High School.

My High School pals – I’m driving in my silver Mickey Mouse ears.

I listen to audio books on my drive to work – I get through 25-30 a year. I especially like books read by the author.

I am a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. I’ve been to Green Bay once – but the reason I started rooting for them was because my Grandpa and I were watching the first Superbowl and he asked me to pick the team I thought would win. Green is my favorite color so I picked the Packers.

My tiny Green Bay helmet on my desk at work

I love trains – my Grandpa worked for the Union Pacific for 40 years. Until this year I had never been on one. I am already planning my next cross-country trip.

I can throw a tomahawk, and I’m pretty good at it. As a kid of about 12 I competed against my pop and some other men who may or may not have been able to beat me when they were sober. I creamed them. The next competition the group increased the minimum throwing distance making it impossible for me to compete with the men. Spoiled sports.

Bullseye!

I collect BB Guns. I have never fired one – when we were kids my pop told us they were more dangerous that a real gun because kids treat them like toys. I just think they are cool – I bought some BB’s – so maybe one day soon I’ll shoot one.

I have always been fascinated by rocks. As a kid I picked them up in the schoolyard and anywhere i found them and brought them home. My house is made of rocks and I still bring home a pocket or sack full of rocks every time I go for a hike or paddle. I shipped my pop 80 pounds of rocks a few years back. 

The Stone House of my dreams

My brother Max is one of my favorite people on the planet – we don’t alway see eye to eye but we have fun together – he’s a deep thinker and I love having those kinds of conversations that challenge your thinking. He’s probably the smartest and most earnest person I know.

Max and Cherokee

I love cheese cake. I don’t know how to make it – my mom and my friend Debbie made the best ones I’ve ever tasted.

When I finished college I couldn’t wait to leave Las Vegas. I don’t miss the busyness of the city but I miss my family and the desert everyday.

Mormon Wells Road – 20 miles north of Vegas

I had a pet skunk when I was in high school and college. When I got my first apartment I couldn’t bring her with me since I couldn’t find anyplace that allowed skunks.

Faux Pas walking on a leash

I’m not a cat person – I love my dogs. They are so happy to see me – It gives me a lift to come home to them – I’ve never seen a sad terrier:)

I lost my mom when she was only 53. It was sudden and unexpected. It changed my view on life – I know that this life is temporary and my mother’s death made me even more focused on the things that are not temporary.

My mom, Barbi

I am a technology junkie – I like gadgets like iPads and digital cameras – I can’t imagine like without my iPhone.

I love t-shirts as social commentary. I sold my first t-shirt design when I was 12 and I am so fortunate to have found a career designing and developing t-shirt graphics.

A snowy day outside my office

Waterfalls are awesome – I have always loved them. I will take a hike in almost any weather to see one.

I miss my Grandpa – he was closer to me than anyone I’ve ever known – we got each other. I was blessed to have him until I was almost 40. I miss having someone who gets me, it’s a rare thing indeed.

Me and my Grandpa

I take my camera every where. I take it to work, on business trips, and even to the grocery store. I have seen some amazing things on the way home from the store.

I can’t decide whether I should continue the charade of being a red-head – I let my natural color grow in – it’s mighty grey.

107 thoughts on “About”

  1. I’m reading your blog and it’s amazing! I really like the whole thing, the layout, the style and definitely the photographs! The only downside is that I’ve realised it’s making mine look just more and more like a monkey has got hold of a laptop and a wifi connection…

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  4. Just found your blog via the “blogs you might like” on wordpress and i’m so glad i did. I just took a quick look through and your photos are truly amazing, not to mention your stories.
    Seeing as i am new to photography myself i really enjoyed the “Rule of photography” posts they were really inspiring (i’m one of those people that never really want to take my camera out in public because i’m always scared someone is looking at me thinking i’m some sort of weird person, but that is my own insecurities which i’m working on)

    Keep up the awesome work! I really look forward to seeing what you post next!

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    • Hi Ben, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I started taking my camera everywhere about 5 years ago – I find that people often approach me out of curiosity. I like your work a lot, you have a great eye! Keep it up!

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      • Thanks very much, I just hope I’m able to get to that stage in my photography where I’m not so self conscious about taking my camera out with me in public like you do as I’m sure that I’m missing many a good opportunity by this current situation I’m in 🙂 but as I grow as both a photographer and person I’m sure it will come.

        Thanks for replying and thanks for the nice comment.

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    • Thanks for visiting! I had no idea it would pop up like that in the recommendations. I just popped over to your blog – Wow! are you shooting HDR? I struggle with landscapes and the color in your images is just wonderful.

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      • Thank You for your kind words
        I dont do HDR all my Post-processing is done with light room and I am influenced by Serge Ramelli a french Photographer. I am looking forward to seeing your work in my reader and following along

        Thank again

        Mike

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    • Hi Kathleen – thanks for the note. I have been missing posting too. My work schedule has been crazy but I’m starting to find my bearings in my new reality. Things are good. So glad to see another entry about the shack!

      Lorri

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  11. I found your site through the Reader; what a very interesting Bio! Have to ask – do you find any use for the skill of tomahawk throwing? I shall be off now to have a browse through the rest of your site, if it is at all as interesting as this page I may stick around 😉
    Jude xx

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    • Hi Jude!
      Sadly, no practical purpose has been found for tomahawk throwing – I think I use high school algebra more. Thanks for visiting – I’m checking out your site too – it was a cross country trip that started me blogging.

      Lorri

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  14. ..now thats what they call a real bio!!
    never before have i read one that makes its point, but also makes me smile, makes me go “aaah”, makes me go green with envy (your jeep, kayak and house, and makes me go even more greener (your perfect job!)….
    carry on the good work…looks like youve had the right people by you most of your life….thats pretty rare these days…..

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    • Thanks so much – I was kind of inspired by that 25 random facts game that made the rounds a few years back. Some of this stuff is more telling that giving you my resume bullet points. I am fortunate to have had such wonderful people in my life and that I get to live and work in a place filled with wonderful natural sites. Kayaking is the best thing – next to taking photos 🙂

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  17. I had a pet skunk too. Her name was Delilah. I called her Dilly for short and she was a holy terror!
    She used to get mad and me and stomp her tiny feet while doing little scooty backward jumps with her tail up as if she could spray me with her nonexistent skunk spray.

    I carry a camera everywhere I go too. Love the detail on your About page. It’s making me consider doing a big redo on my own.

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  21. This is the best about page I’ve ever read.
    Also, I’ll be moving into your house next week.
    And, guess what we have in common? I spent 8 years designing tee shirts, doing separations, ripping film, press checks, I even miss it a little sometimes.
    You’re awesome.
    Tracy

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    • Thanks Tracy – wow – who knew? Did you do seps by hand or digitally? I have been doing it for almost 30 years. Designing T-shirts sounds so laid back, but it’s crazy – deadlines, approvals, copyrights – but I love it. There’s a spare room in the back. I think you’re pretty awesome too.
      Lorri

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      • I started in 1995 so we were just starting to rip film, but occasionally still had to cut good old ruby! It was totally crazy. I still do freelance design though, just not for “the man”.

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        • I did a lot ruby and amberlith seps back in the day, I don’t miss it. We often built the designs on the film instead of separating something after the fact – we rip film on an epson in the office now – so much simpler. What kind of work do you do?

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  22. Wow! What a bio! Thanks for the like in my page. I’m super impressed by your photography. I’m such an amateur and am always looking at other photos wondering ‘how did they do that?!’ I live in Japan now, and I think the bird I miss the most are cardinals. Thanks for the bit of nostalgia. Cheers!

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    • Thanks. I loved the part of your bio where you said you caught fish and snakes with your bare hands – that’s southern! I love cardinals even if they are not so crazy about me. I grew up in the west so they were very exotic to me when I first moved here.

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  28. I have nominated you for the Reality Blog Award. Your blog has been an inspiration to me to stretch myself and communicate with the world at large. We see glimpses of ourselves in others and it has been my pleasure to follow your blog and gain insight into your world and mine.

    If you choose to accept you are asked to answer 5 questions and nominate no more than 20 fellow bloggers (the total number of nominations is up to you). I realize the time commitment associated with this award and understand if it is something that you do not wish to do.

    Here are the questions:
    1) If you could change one thing, what would you change?
    2) If you could repeat an age, what age would it be?
    3) What one thing really scares you?
    4) What is one dream you have not completed, and do you think you’ll be able to complete it?  
    5) If you could be someone else for one day, who would it be?

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  35. Good morning – as an FYI, you’re in my post today for the Beautiful Blogger Award. While that may be completely meaningless to you, I did want to say how much I’ve enjoyed your blog, photos and now your wonderful writing. Have an awesome day!

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    • Thank you so much – they are not at all meaningless – I am mostly embarrassed for not understanding and acknowledging them when I first started getting them. I appreciate the shout out!

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  38. Hi Artsi, You have an amazing website here. I’m another oblivious one. Who knows why. Just not very observant, I guess. I want to invite you to be part of my Circle of Appreciation. This is not supposed to be an award, but it sort of is. Basically it is a place to say kind things about special bloggers for 22 days in October. Thank you so much for your helpful comments. That makes you a great excellent blogger instead of just an excellent one. http://wp.me/p2jC53-IB

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  39. Pingback: Līgo Circle of Appreciation | Marsha Lee

  40. Thanks so much! I love moving furniture around too – I can tear the whole house apart and put it back together and be completely content about it. I hate asking someone to help or waiting on someone to come to my rescue. Living in the woods has made me more independent than ever. I’m really enjoying your blog about your dad’s work – what a legacy – Thanks again for the kind words!

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  41. I LOVE your about page! Very well done and insightful. Makes me feel more normal to know someone else is oblivious of the people around them at the grocery store and elsewhere. I also like that you can put your kayak on top of your jeep by yourself. I love moving furniture and stuff by myself, gives me a feeling of accomplishment and nobody yells at me. I think you are pretty cool and I love your stone house, it’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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  44. Hi, I really enjoy reading your blog and have nominated you for the “Inspiring Blog Award” and “One Lovely Blog Award.” There are a few rules to this nomination (these aren’t my rules, so do what you want…no pressure) you need to give a shout out to me, of course, tell us 7 things about yourself and then nominate 15 bloggers, that’s the tricky part, if you don’t have 15, don’t worry, just pass it on to someone….share the joy by following this link http://changeforbetterme.wordpress.com

    If you have all ready been nominated my apologies and pass it on anyway! We all love to be recognized for our work. Enjoy!

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  45. This ‘about ‘ page is priceless – you sound like fun, fun, fun.
    I think I may just have…..to……press…..the ……follow button & follow your blog.

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    • LOL – Push the button! Thanks so much. I ended up on your post about the butterfly garden – I think I clicked through on another photo blog I read – anyway it seems as though we shoot similar things on opposite ends of the earth:) I like your Camera page – I’m gonna have to build me one of those. Thanks for stopping by!

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