12.1.22Vampiring AgainPracticing the mirror trick again on yet another little house in the area. I think I do the mirror trick on about two out three places I shoot now. Didn’t even bother with a second image for the camera replacement on this one; it was clean enough to remove without much effort.

12.2.22ClonesI had an all-day shoot in Hamilton, OH today that didn’t go as planned. The details aren’t interesting and can be spared for the sake of this entry, but know it was not I who was unprepared for the shoot. Anyway, while waiting for people to show up to pose for a few shots, I tested my flash to see how it would illuminate bodies in different positions in the room. The end result of this preparation combined with boredom is what you see above.

12.3.22Never Not PrettyOne of the greatest privileges of my life is having fresh cut flowers in our home at any given time. Because of Ashley’s role in the floral world, we’re always endowed with a fresh bouquet somewhere in the house. The flowers won’t last forever, nor will this privilege, so I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

12.4.22Beginning to Look a Lot Like…You KnowEclectic Christmas trees, a Santa that’s older than almost everyone I know, and a blurry iPhone photo because I spent the day working with my hands and not my camera.

12.5.22Sapele Mahogany SwingJoe and Joe made this handsome outdoor swing out of sapele mahogany. It was finished today and we strung it up for photos before shipping out to the client later this week. The chains are rated for a much heavier load and look a little proportionally goofy, but that will change when it gets to the customer. No, I didn’t try it out; if the button on my pants or something left a scratch, I’d never forgive myself for making an avoidable and pointless mistake.

12.6.22Design & Plan & BuildAgainst my better judgment, I’ve agreed to do a carpentry project for a video production company in Norwood. They need four floating, ornate walls to use as backdrops for an upcoming shoot later this month which means planning and building needs to happen ASAP. My build days are next week, so today I’ve been sketching out schematics and measurements, figuring out the budget and materials list, and compiling it all for the client. As the rain pours loudly right outside my window, I sit quietly with schematics on my iPad, eating pizza and downing Coke, Deep Space Nine playing in the other room, and a sense that this will be a fun portfolio piece once it’s all done.

12.7.22Myrtle Christmas 2022Tonight marks the sixth year we’ve done a Myrtle Christmas card photo. The placement of the tree is different this year, but the spirit is the same. I don’t think I’ll ever top the composition of the 2020 photo, but I like the way this one is lit.

12.8.22A Beautiful SconceI shot a beautiful house in Dayton, KY today that had a load of gorgeous old house features, including this darling wall sconce in the hallway upstairs.

12.9.22Fresh CoatI have a grey metal filing cabinet for important documents that bore me to death. Over the years, the cabinet has been dented and scratched during its many moves. It’s not overly attractive, and after growing tired of seeing an ugly grey cabinet in the office, I painted it white. Thin coats dry quickly, so I managed to do it all in one evening. It looks far better now than it ever did in grey.

12.10.22Holiday Bright RideHaving missed the 2022 Blink communal ride, I vowed to make sure I didn’t miss the holiday version. While it made me a little nervous riding around the basin during the height of traffic on a Saturday night, being in a big group was a lot of fun. It was also Santacon, so everywhere was packed with drunken Santas who largely cheered us on from the sidewalks.

12.11.22Found a 4 in the WildThe title says it all.

12.12.22Ice Cream TimeShe got to sit in the front seat since Ashley’s on a work trip. This is a look of confusion. Truth be told, I had her up front because I had a bunch of tools taking up the back and boot, so this was the only available seat.

12.13.22Floating Wall ProgressLast year, I did a carpentry project for the City of Bellevue and worked on a big structure inside an abandoned theater for a week. This year, I’m building floating walls to use as stylish backdrops for RESLV, a local video company (that also employs Steve), and I’m building it in the garage of their historic firehouse-turned-office. I got all four frames finished and one face put together, but there’s still a lot of work left to do. I’ll resume building on Thursday.

12.14.22A Long, Crazy DayMyrtle went to daycare, I went to the wood shop for the final time this year, we had our work party at Elusive Cow and B-List, then I went to the Art Museum and shot the opening of the new Bollywood exhibit, then I went to the mayor of Bellevue’s house for a gathering because I was appointed to the Code Enforcement Board earlier that night, then I went to a friend’s house for late-night beers before going home at midnight and collapsing in a heap of exhaustion. It was an insane day.

12.15.22Ready For ColorBecause Myrtle’s in daycare, I woke up and went straight to RESLV to keep working on the floating wall project. It’s a massive load off my conscience when I know she’s not at home by herself and bored. I worked from about 9 AM until 7:30 PM on these walls and made it to a good stopping point before cleaning up my mess and heading home. I’ll paint them tomorrow and move them upstairs to the video studio. Will sleep very well tonight.

12.16.22Hansman’sSometimes when I go to Unataza, I continue further east to Hansman’s where I grab a hot biscuit/egg/cheese/sausage or goetta sandwich out of the warmer for a couple of of bucks. It’s by no means a healthy breakfast but it hits the spot, and it’s very close to what I always envisioned a perfect quick neighborhood breakfast could be. Sometimes the biscuits are fresh and crispy. Other times they’re softer from sitting in the warmer. Make sure to always read the label to confirm the one you’ve grabbed has cheese. For less than $3, you can’t go wrong. Oh, and while I’m not a start-the-morning-with-a-donut kind of guy, I have been swayed a few times by what’s behind the counter glass.

12.17.22Christmas PartiesI took a break from working today and instead ran errands all over town before going to two different Christmas parties. Both were a lot of fun, and I wish I could’ve split myself in two to enjoy each more fully. At one point, we played a drinking card game that was so raucous and fun, I wondered why it wasn’t part of every gathering with friends.

12.18.22Yet to DescendFrom what I’ve read online, there is a tradition where all the people and animals in a Nativity scene sit and stare at an empty cradle until December 25th. On that day, a tiny baby JC is added to complete the Biblical scene. The Nativity miniature we had in our house as kids just had the the baby glued into the cradle already, so this tradition was new to me. While at Ashley’s grandparents’ house, I noticed their baby wasn’t in the cradle yet and it made me laugh that he just has to jazz-hands at the ceiling for an entire month one floor up from where he will eventually land.

12.19.22Project CompleteIt took me two extra days, but I got them done. The floating walls are in the studio, painted, and ready for use. Happy with how they turned out and quietly excited to see them in action at some point.

12.20.22Over the River and Through the BridgeTo a Christmas party we go. (I wasn’t driving.)

12.21.22Still Moment During a Busy DayThree rentals today, all for the same client. The big house in Mount Auburn was my favorite, and the two apartments on Reading Road were nice enough. I always like seeing what decor the owners choose to tchotchke up the joint. Didn’t think much of this shot when I took it, but after getting it into Lightroom later, the color stood out to me. Also did the rest of my Christmas shopping, so I’m ready for a bourbon and egg nog to wind this day down.

12.22.22Impending ColdThere’s a colossal winter storm raging outdoors at the moment. Thankfully, we retrieved Ashley’s mom from the airport before the blizzard made roads impassable. I don’t like cutting it close like that. The best thing one can do during a weather event is stay put inside and keep off the roads. One less potential headache for emergency crews. Anyway, we outran the fast-approaching snowflakes and made it home safely, and now we’re waiting for subzero conditions to turn our home into a delicate fortress of warmth that could topple any moment if the power decides to go out. Earlier today, I thought the approaching storm was sort of exciting. I’ve since changed my tune.

12.23.22-20ºFI was outside for a total of 2 minutes today. The flag pole had been torn from its screws in the brick by the 50 mph winds, so I had to take it the rest of the way off the column to keep it from banging about. Everything is covered in snow—including our covered porch—but that’s not the issue. With the windchill, it feels like -20ºF out right now (without, it’s -1ºF). While outside for that brief time, I felt my nose hairs freeze and my mustache harden with ice. Continually blinking away the sting of the cold, my lungs lightly burned every time I took a breath. Though the sun was shining brightly, I don’t think I’ve ever felt cold like that in my life. I went back inside and worked on photo editing for the rest of the day. As I write this, we haven’t lost power (knock on wood), but our water pressure is very low. I think there’s a water main issue somewhere up the street.

12.24.22Neighborhood AnnouncementA neighbor on our street has a proclamation. He’s fed up with this cold, and for once, I don’t blame him. While I wouldn’t choose Florida, I wouldn’t mind being in a warmer place at the moment. Honestly, this Christmas kinda sucks, and I don’t think it’s solely because of the storm. I am fortunately/unfortunately someone who enjoys their regular life, and this week disrupts that with obligations based in social traditions for the sake of a figure I do not worship and a religion I do not follow. I know the holiday season is more than that, but aside from seeing my family for an evening, I do not enjoy this time of year overall. It’s not sappy Hallmark thing for me like it is for others. I recognize my flaw of wanting to be contrarian by default, and maybe it’s partially that which makes me feel this way, but I can’t say for sure. Just feeling overwhelmingly detached and introverted this year—more so than other years. And with every passing year, Christmas kind of becomes more depressing as people’s lives change, their opinions grow stronger, they pass away, they get divorced, and other factors.

12.25.22SistersKiran and Esmeray on Christmas night (my sister’s kids). Esmeray is a very relaxed baby, and Kiran is all personality. I get it when people say “this is a very fun age” because Kiran says some of the funniest stuff without even meaning to, and she says it so innocently. She one time called lasagne “crazy pizza” and it makes me laugh every time I think about it.

12.26.22The FloorIt feels amazing to lay on the floor sometimes. Just flattening my back out and completely at rest. This view doesn’t last long before a doodle dog wanders over delighted to see someone beneath her default height.

12.27.22True LiesKevin and I walked down to The Garage in Dayton and had a private showing of True Lies over beer and Taqueria Nogal takeout. I’d never seen it before and he swore it was worth a watch. He wasn’t wrong—truly fun and stupid and exactly what I wanted. It’s a shame James Cameron didn’t let his hair down more with fun movies like that instead of going the ultra-serious route. Was walked back home just before midnight and enjoyed a quiet stroll through the neighborhood.

12.28.22Toys Were UsTook a trip out to Xenia to check out a lumber yard and then wandered around to a few other shops I’ve been meaning to check out before landing at Rockler in Tri-County. Beside Rockler is a big empty former Toys R Us. The contrast of the missing sign held my gaze for awhile. It’s sad to see a rejection of fun.

12.29.22Mobile CountertopsTesting an idea I had for increasing the amount of counter space when we have company. I made an L-shaped countertop that we can simply place over the existing structures to better serve dishes when we have people over for a meal or potluck. Since our kitchen is little, making use of every available inch is crucial. The doorway it blocks is the path to the basement, which guests have no reason to access.

12.30.22Party Night!Rene’s in from Germany, so we got the gang together for cards and drinks and general merriment! I need to be better at taking real photos of people instead of bad forward-facing camera photos on a timer.

12.31.22Calendar ResetWe went to a neighbor’s house for light bites and a beer. We then met up with Steve and his new girlfriend downtown for Mexican. Then we met up with Justin and Annie and the rest of their crew for drinks at Fifty Fifty Gin Club to ring in the new year. While there, Justin asked me if I would be a groomsman in his wedding. Of course I said yes. He’s one of the best people I know. I’m honored to be part of his and Annie’s upcoming day, and it was a perfect way to end the year.