The pets would like to say hi - a photo on Flickriver

The pets caught wind that I was spending more time with Flickr than with them, & consequently they demanded to be included in the fun.

In the foreground is Tugger (giggle if you must, I named him when I was three) - or rather, a small stone carving one of my closest friends brought to me from Mexico when I was 21, just after the real Tugger died. It should be noted for posterity that Tugger & I became best friends when I was three & he was a kitten. A few quick calculations should reveal his final age to be 18, which is ridiculously ancient, even for a Tonkinese. I'm happy to report he was healthy to the end, save for some minor arthritis & cataracts. He was the sweetest cat I've ever known.

Creeping around in the background is one Mr Rocky Raccoon. Interesting story behind this sociable little guy actually. Though I never recalled actually buying him (someone erased my memory when I was around 6 or 7; I've always wondered what I knew that the person considered so dangerous), I always was assured he hailed from the New Orleans Riverwalk.
I frequently brought him out during my parents' dinner parties when I was quite young & put on little shows for the guests. Damn I was cute (I like to believe). It wasn't until somewhat later in my life I discovered his specific birthplace. In the mid-90's I began studying & performing magic, doing so ardently for about 9 years. During that time, lo & behold, I learned Rocky was manufactured & sold by Magic Masters as a magic prop! I do love that my life contains such foreshadowing.
Sadly, he's much too old to perform now. I just tried a bit after our shoot & he shed all over me. Needless to say, he doesn't grow it back.

So this - hopefully - will appease these two for the time being, but who really knows for sure; they're jealous little guys, so you may be seeing more of them.

--an addendum--
As I was rounding out the final paragraph immediately above, I realized I'd just spent over three hours on this project, from scrubbing the kitchen counter until it was white enough to act as a makeshift studio - to taking 51 shots until I got just the capture I wanted - to some minor cleanup in post - & finally displaying for public consumption a sizable portion of my personal history that included frightening ladies with a stuffed animal & considering a cat my best friend.

I wonder if somebody needs a girlfriend...or gainful employment.

Looks much nicer on white!

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Taken on: January 14, 2009

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Sets appears in: • Of stories • Fun w/ experimentation

Groups appears in: • Creative Photography • Hey, lighten up! more » • Thing in itself • simplicity • ERRATICA • objects of our childhood • The Elegance of Simplicity • UniqueTouch - ( A Step Up From The Ordinary! ) • Psychoanalyze This • inanimate life • Cute and Clever *Uncensored* - You know who you are! • unique shot • *****Conceptual Photography***** • Minimalist Perfection « less

Camera: Nikon D60, f/5.6, 1/8 sec, 175mm (=262mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D60
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.125 sec (1/8)
Focal Length:	175mm (35mm equivalent: 262mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Fired, Return not detected
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows
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