Hi F&F,
Thanks to digital cameras and cellphones equipped with cameras; self-portraiture isn’t just for artists. Today even the talentless masses can create self-portraits. Recently, my Facebook friends have been sharing photos of “blinged-out” manicured fingers and toes; new hairstyles and new hair colors. I’ve also received painfully close images of faces distorted by lens proximity and too much holiday cheer – hiccup. Basically, they are bedecking themselves as they “deck the halls”; and thanks to digital technology and a lack of personal discretion, I’m a witness to it all. Truthfully, all of it has been harmless fun. Some of it has been pretty and most of it has been pretty darn funny.
My entry for this weeks’ challenge consists of a before and after self-portrait. These aren’t before and after makeover shots; like on that television show – What not to Wear. I’m not plain Jane in one picture and hubba-hubba glamorous in the other. I’m unadorned in both.
I took the shots while on vacation in Arizona. The before image was taken just as I set off on a morning solo hike (my good friend and travel companion, Monefa, preferred to sleep in). It was close to 8:00 am and already a sunny 80 degrees; hence no makeup; just sunscreen). I was by myself for most of the 3 mile trail and had to do a one-handed snapshot trick . The after image was taken at the end of the hike. You can see, I’m sizzling and sweating and my hair is more “frizzed” out, but I was so very happy that I completed the trek and got to explore the desert landscape.
Before
&
After
Peace,
ATreeGrowinBklyn
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atreegrowsinbklyn 
Wow, a three mile trek that starts out at 80 degrees! You are definitely not of those who are faint of heart 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Happy Holidays, pix & Kardz – Sometimes heart trumps smarts; but seriously, I set a slow and steady pace and took water with me and had my cellphone. I really wanted to enjoy the open sky and vistas. Those are in short supply when you live in the city.
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
Very well written. Loved to read it – especiaally the part about the digital technology and a lack of personal discretion, That is truly some words of wisdom 🙂
Happy Holidays, Cardinal Guzman – Thanks for reading and commenting. I have a love hate relationship with some of the technology available today or perhaps it’s more accurate to say my issue is the way people choose to use technology. Some of the tech toys have been so very useful that it makes it hard to imagine how I (we) accomplished certain tasks before it existed. On the other hand, I sometimes feel like it shreds a veil or demolishes a wall that would be better left intact.
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
nice post. well written
Happy Holidays, Amar Naik – Thanks for visiting and posting a comment.
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
Beautiful shots of you… Glad to meet the visual you! 🙂
Happy Holidays, eof737 – Thank you. It was nice meeting the visual you on your blog; too.
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
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Pings are perfect! Thank you.
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Pings are priceless! Thank you.
LOL!!! I remember turning over in the bed when you mentioned going out to do some darn hike in the Arizona sun!!! I’m glad you did it and proud of you though. LOL! xoxo
Happy Holidays, Moe – LOL!! It’s just another reason why we make good travel companions. I was not at all insulted when you rolled over at my suggestion to go on the hike; and you remained a supportive friend even in your sleep. 😀
Peace,
Adrienne (AtreeGrowsinBklyn)
i like the concept and enjoyed what you’ve said in this post. sometimes experiences/moments like that take on more and more significance as time goes on. for some reason i feel like this one is doing that – i like that too. i know Arizona – or parts of it. mostly in summers but occasionally in winter. almost every place has something unique to offer – might as well see/explore it while you’re there – it’s an amazing planet. i hope you had fun. aloha.
Happy Holidays, Rick Daddario – Thanks for visiting and commenting. You are so right about how you can still find meaning in the moments from the past. It is an added benefit of travel, sightseeing and “sightbeing”.
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
oh. yes. aloha Adrienne (and mahalo/thank you too) – i like that word “sightbeing”. brilliant perception/understanding wrapped up in that word. …akin to perspective. i think travel brings perspective into our life – no matter when, why or what age we are when we travel – especially if we open our self up to it. i like that too.
peace, laughter and the fun of the season on you – aloha – rick
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Thanks for the ping for my self-portrait.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful person behind a blog the has depth, heart and thoughts that inspires. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Happy Holidays, island traveler- Thank you for your kind words of support. I must admit, this photo challenge gave me a moment of hesitation. How much of yourself to reveal in this self-portrait? I didn’t want to tamper with your opinion of me. As you can see from my submission, I just decided to share a full view because what I’ve been enjoying with blogging is presenting my unadorned self and I just figured, in the real world my face speaks volumes before I open my mouth. In the blogosphere, I’ve spoken volumes before my face entered the “room”. 🙂
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
greetings by
+
Snap, crackle and ping; the breakfast of champions
Wow. I’m impressed. And I’m happy to see the face behind the words. Have a happy holiday.
Happy Holidays, Cecilia, – Thanks for commenting. I think my hike sounds far more impressive than it really was. I guess that’s why I keep talking about it! :). It certainly wasn’t the power walk that’s necessary to keep pace on NYC sidewalks. It was more of an amble and a ramble among the tumbleweeds.
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
Because you stopped by my blog, i was able to come and see yours! I love that part of the whole wordpress experience!
regarding your self portrait—the before and after a trek idea is quite novel! I like it! Also, Arizona is so fantastic! I’ve been to both the Phoenix and Tuscon areas and while in Tuscon, I did a similar early morning hike through the desert botanical gardens and so thoroughly enjoyed it…the mountains there are special…i felt very at peace there!
anyway, its been nice to “meet” you! I’ll be back to your blog again, for sure!!
Happy Holidays, SmallHouseBigGarden – Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit! I enjoyed Arizona very much. On that trip we visited Phoenix and Sedona. It was lovely “meeting” you, also. Please come again; I’ll leave the porach light on for you. 🙂
Peace,
Adrienne (ATreeGrowsinBklyn)
The sizzled and sweating and frizzed out look suits you exceedingly well! I expected you to be limp and wan and eyes almost shut but no, there you are, Ms. Intrepid, looking fine.
It’s fun to see the face that goes with the words that I’ve very much enjoyed for these past months.
Hope you’re having happy holidays, that Santa was good to you, and that the cute little New Year’s baby will be even better.
LOL!!! I think it’s the look of an adrenalin rush. Once it dissipated…it wasn’t as attractive. 🙂
Best wishes to you.