I love my job...

I have started my shoots of the High School sports teams. This is one of the things I ABSOLUTLY ADORE!

The girls are beautiful cute young and gorgeous to photograph, and the boys are.... well... thrilled about their six pack, "muscles", or just really goofy. Plus I love to give them a hard time and make them do silly poses and get the team involved... This is my 8th year to do high school kids and it is just plain fun... Now all of these are not posed. This is natural personalities showing through... Boys just want to have fun too!

English Translations...

You know sometimes it is better to have an English mother tongue person be in charge of naming signs and packages in foreign countries... This is why....

My new toy...

Yesterday I had a brain storm, more like a brain fart... But regardless, I finally dreamed up something creative for the 2009 ASD calendar. I have been pondering something fun to look at for weeks now, and had nothing ring my bell. Until I was napping on Friday afternoon and BANG it happened. So I gathered up a posse of 12 kids and back packs to represent all grade levels and we all went to the school to celebrate our new facility, which is absolutely fabulous... Here is my creation... With a little help from my new filter and extra clouds from Austin Texas... Ashlynn was mad because she had to move down 4 grade levels because of her size... I told her dynamite comes in small packages, but that didn't make her feel any taller!!! Don't know if it will make the cut, but I hope so... For some reason you can't click on it to see the coolness!!! and you will have to miss Mia's face...which is priceless. Guess you will have to wait for the calendar.....

What's in a Brand

Recently I realized I needed a brand. I do not have one for Patrizi Photography. I know kinda what I want it to be, cheerful, fun, but professional, something with a heart shape, Maybe a P, but not a PP... So I started seeing how branding is so important. Here are a few examples of living in a country that you do not know the language or even the alphabet, (if Arabic is considered even a alpha at all.)

You do know who these guys are don't you?

I was at a friends compound with 6 other ladies in her kitchen and pulled out her clothes soap. I asked everyone in the kitchen who knew what kind of clothes soap it was, and if they had that particular kind in their house, every one of us raised our hands. WHY? because it is familiar!!!

I want to be that familiar...

These are a few things no matter what language, you all know exactly what it is...

Stay tuned for some sort of Brand to represent Sherry style!!!

Signs

Tonight is a great night... I received a terrific gift tonight from a friend halfway around the world. Midland Texas to be exact... A fun art program to play with in Photoshop. To some this might not be exciting but to me, OOOOH BABY AHHHH! Thanks Mark!!

See for yourslef my first attempt... At coolness...

73 Nova - 8 track of Van Halen - clogs

I drove Chris' car today across town to a brunch. He had a CD in there of Van Halen, one I had when I was 17. I used to blare it on my Jensen Triaxal 6x9's on my pioneer 8 track tape player in my 1973 Gold Nova hatchback with wide tires and dual exhaust.

Let me just tell you, It was a party on the way to brunch. Traffic did not bother me, nope I was rockin out! I went to a Van Halen concert at Jefferson Stadium or Jones Hall in Houston back in the late 70's, and again I new every word and beat of the drums, air guitar and all today I was 17 again, just for a split moment.

"Oh Yeah, I can't wait to feel your love tonight!"

September...

What September brings to me is a PAUSE!

A PAUSE to remember LIFE.

LIFE as it was, and will be.

It makes me stop and notice the everlasting blessings surrounding my everyday.

September is like a very long sunset.

Sher

SH _ T!

I have this tracking thing that shows where people are coming from when they read this blog. It is so nice when I see Roseville California because I know exactly who that is. My long lost little sis Amanda Merz that used to be my neighbor in Chancy Switzerland a lifetime ago. I love knowing who has stumbled across me and my open online journal. I found a wonderful friend from high school recently, who sang at me and David's wedding 27 years ago, Danny Dickson. It is amazing how technology has been able to put my life's experiences into your livingroom or office across the world. But not too many people will actually comment. I do receive personal e-mails making comments, but I am going to make a book of this one day and would love to see alittle more interaction here.

Who are you reading this right now? Are you a stranger? Old friend? Photographer?

Someone I didn't expect recently told me they loved reading my blog because it was like they were having a conversation with me. I think it is because I say the word shit a lot. I know it is not very professional, and sometimes not very nice, but it is a great word.

It is an adjective, really "shitty" weather, it is a verb, He "shit a brick" and it is a noun, look at that "shit"! I am sorry if I ever offend anyone with my only cuss word I use online.

HUMMMMMMMM...What picture should I post today with this blog? NO, NO I will not.

Just another Sunday in Doha...

Pool Time!!!

OK so your are sick of looking at food? SORRY!!! How bout this little cutie going to the pool yesterday...

But I can't resist, Here is what we had last night... In my entire life, I can not remember a time where Chris took the camera and actually took a picture without me asking him to. But last night he told me after dinner that he had taken a picture of the fish. I was shocked! I guess he was so proud and had no one to share it with. So this morning when I saw it I felt compelled to post the twins we had for dinner.

Nice composition Honey!!

(I am eating an Arabic version of Chicken Cordon Bleu without ham right now, but I am not taking a picture of that!)

Speaking of Chris, he has tolerated me taking his picture a thousand times, at photoshoots, sleeping on trains, studio and everywhere in between. Yesterday we actually plugged in the transformers (thanks to Dennis) and hooked up the studio lights for the first time in 2-1/2 years. I dragged them to Milan Italy and now in Doha and it is time to try and create another studio. I am soooo excited!!! Plus we had to show off Bella's new shave and haircut... Notice her freckles on her tummy! This picture is for Alex.... We miss you Alex!!!

I was inspired to work on my studio by my sweet crazy precious fun friend Staci at http://www.danforddesign.com/ Who's precious baby and husband are also models whether they like it or not!!!

Doha is lacking in the bird department. I feed the birds daily and all I get is a million sparrows and a few dove. Nothing cool and exotic although others say there are these parrot type species so I bought a dump truck full of sunflower seeds but they still have not discovered me yet. But I did have a stranger visit yesterday and it was interesting and I snapped this. What is it? What does it eat? I am just happy to have something new to look at. He hasn't been back since.

Our prayers and thoughts are with all our family and friends in Texas and Louisana that are effected by Hurricane Ike. Although none of them have electricity and can't read my sentiments anyway. It's the thought that counts.

Quote from a friend:
"You can waste a whole lifetime trying to be what you think is expected of you but you'll never be free... May as well go fishing."

Ya'll have a beautiful day now!
Smiles,
Sherry

Mom turns gourmet...

OK OK So I am slightly intimidated by my husband and his roots in the restaurant business. He is a gourmet chef and I am married to him! It is a wonderful thing, but on occasion Chili , beef enchiladas or tacos are good, but not gourmet. I feel like my cooking is inferior, and truth is... IT IS!!! So I need to spruce up my menus. I wasn't raised around gourmet food, we did not even have garlic in the spice rack for heaven's sake. Last night I copied a few ideas and came up with a, what I thought was, pretty for a Tuesday.

Saffron Risotto below fresh garlic spinach, and topped with a spicy BBQ pesto shrimp. I used Nicholas' trick with the PVC pipe, Mandola's idea of the seafood/spinach and Marcia's cajun BBQ shrimp plus Chris' homemade pesto.

Ashlynn thought it was so pretty she took a picture.

WHAAAAAA LAH!!!

Be Different...

Life is way too short not to have pink hair at least once.

Rock on Gramps!

Nothing like the Big Easy!!!

ONLY IN NEW ORLEANS....

KELLY GIBSON TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE FROM CALIFORNIA TRY ALL THEIR LIVES TO BE JUST HALF AS WEIRD AS THE REAL PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE IT!!!

Quincy goes to college!

I am officially a Baylor Mom. Alexandra is set in her dormroom with 2 roomies both named Rachel. Leaving her was not too bad because I know in my heart she is in the perfect place.

Quincy is a handmade doll 4 or 5 Freshman Magnolia boys made for Alexandra when we left for Italy. It is really cute. She has treasured it like no other. Quincy was handled with care as we packed and unpacked boxes for Baylor University.

The funniest story ever is while Alex and I waited in a line of 967 cars, we were #966 to unpack at the dorm, I glanced over to my right and sitting pretty on a porch, is our couch! Not one like it, but the real thing. This couch was bought in Texas, moved to California, back to Beaumont, Atascocita, Chancy Switzerland and back to Magnolia Texas. Before we moved to Italy we sold it to my sweet friend Robin who gave it to her son for college. This couch is over 21 years old. Been recovered and still going stong on the porch of some college house in Waco Texas. I have a feeling Alex will reunite with it someday. How funny is that?

Now the Patrizi Family is split. 3 in the States and 3 in The Middle East. It makes it harder and harder to be away.

How ever old you are reading this you all can relate to the feeling of being on your own for the first time. Whether it is college, marriage, divorce, or death we are all in that place at one time or more in our lives. Sometimes young, and sometimes old... It is all what you make of it. I am sure that Alex is ready to make it great.

She is now a beautiful butterfly...

A little about life in Doha...

I LIVE HERE!

Now that I have the website up, I will try and concentrate this blog on mostly personal stuff with just a bit of photography. I realized after being in the states for 2-1/2 months that all my family and friends had so many questions about what it was like to live in the Middle East. So I am going to explain a few things with pictures so you all can see for yourself...

Right now it is Ramadan. This is a very holy time for the Muslims. I am not sure how I really feel about it. I admire the amazing will power these people have when they stop everything they do to say 5 long prayers everyday, which some are in the wee hours of the morning, like in the 4's. But to FAST for a entire month, WOW! I can't go 3 hours without a reeses peanut butter cup or handful of almonds every time I pass the kitchen. I remember when I had to take a blood test and had to fast for one morning until 9AM and I thought I was going to faint.

Now picture this... You are a Muslim laborer, working outside in the 120 degree sand storm, from 6AM to 6PM without one single swallow of water or food. How do they do that? Not only do they do it, they want you to do it too, or at least pretend you are.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRINK WATER WHILE YOU ARE IN YOUR CAR. Even if you are not Muslim!!! Now I am sorry, I do not agree with that. I am not asking them to hide Easter Eggs or drink Shiner Bock, or only have one wife! So we all drive around parched in and out of our 200 degrees cars from place to place, not drinking water to honor their religious beliefs. I do not mind honoring other religious beliefs, I have a spirit house and Buddha from Thailand, have great respect for my Jewish and Mormon friends, but shit I'm thirsty! Every single restaurant is closed all day and only opens at night. There is no place to have lunch but home. What's a gal to do? Oh and the shopping spots are closed now and then too. Can't shop - can't have lunch, might as well BLOG!

The only liquor store in the country closes for the entire month as well, so Chris went to "Stock Up".. along with 357 other expats... To look in my cabinets you would think we were full fledged alcoholics, I don't know how many but there are cases of wine in there. I didn't even have room for my orange juice. Kinda like you Gulf Coast folks last week hoarding the water and batteries at Kroger. Same deal except you can drink water if you are thirsty.

Today on the way to and from the grocery store I saw 3 wreaks. Not one, or two, but three! Now I know some of you guys that drive down I-45 to work and back in Houston could say you have seen 3 wrecks in a 2 hour period too, but what you do not understand is the grocery store is only 2 miles away! It's a rule to stop your car and DO NOT MOVE IT! So it causes a huge traffic jam, while everyone tries to blame the other. After I got home the nicely finely shredded Italian cheeses were a clump of melted mass!

These pictures are the not so beauty of Doha right outside our compound. This is our compound in the distance, in the middle of nowhere.

Little things you all take for granted... Like grass and trees!

Enjoy the freedom to drink water while driving.

Ciao Y'all!

Sher