Shotmama Imagery

Zombie's Eye View

2011-09-30T23:15:00.001-04:00

Zombie's Eye View

It has been a tough few months for my family. Starting in July, several members of our immediate family required (intensive care) hospitalizations including our son who has an acute allergy to bee stings. Summer was a bit of a wash, but I still had fall to look forward to.

Cleaning brush out of my back yard, I acquired a (seemingly) inconsequential scratch above my right knee. I didn't stop working. I didn't say ouch. I didn't bleed. I barely remembered the incident...until it started to look odd. After a trip to the ER, a follow up with my doctor, another call to my doctor, an emergency dermatology appointment, and four med switches in six days, I was admitted to the hospital myself. The scratch became a rash that covered a third of my right leg and about a quarter of my left. No one who saw it could identify it. Blood and skin cultures revealed nothing. To this day I am being treated for bacterial and viral infection, as well as an extended round of steroids and antihistamines. Whatever it was, it appears to be in retreat. It's been a scary couple of weeks, but I think I am finally on the mend.

Amidst all this chaos, I have found that the creative corners of my house (my easel/ drafting table and computer desk) have been the places that have brought me some peace, solitude, and much needed time to reflect on life as it is and how it has changed recently. I find that I need to create. I need to take my camera out for a walk by myself. I need to paint. I need to talk to other artists. All of this extra time in my corners has paid off. My sanity and health remains intact and I am more connected to my work which brings me to what I see as the brighter side of all this struggle.

I am showing work again. Not just photographs, paintings, too.

One of the shows is the annual group show for an artist group I meet with once a month. There are about twenty artists at each meeting. We choose a theme each month (we all write down a noun on a slip of paper and draw one from a hat) and each present a piece of work based on that theme the following month. The interpretation can be very loose or literal-artist's choice. The real point is to inspire creation. There are men and women of different ages working in different mediums with varying levels of training and skill. It's a place where we can present "crap" (although most of the work is definitely not crap) and experiment with new mediums. I am inspired every month by this group and have moved out from behind the comfort zone of my camera, while pursuing a specific perspective in my photography work.

Despite the weariness from the challenges it brings, life is good. Or maybe to be (a little) less cliche, life always brings goodness when we can take a step away from the struggle and go elsewhere...even if it's just a corner, for just a little while.

Calendula (acrylic on canvas)

ART RIGHT NOW! Opens October 11 at the Warwick Museum of Art 3259 Post Road, Warwick, RI.
Opening reception is Friday, October 14 from 7-9PM

Something Old, Something New...

2011-08-15T16:28:00.001-04:00

Something borrowed...

Photographing a wedding requires a little more than what I generally shoot with, so I decided to rent some really beautiful lenses and a back up body for this weekend. Renting the gear from Borrowed Lenses.com. allowed me to confidently document a wedding without having to stress over gear failure or wish I had "something else" to work with.

Borrowed Lenses.com is a company based out of California. If you are fortunate enough to live in sunny California, you can pick up the gear or if you live on the East Coast, they can ship it right to your door. It was easy and affordable and the customer service was outstanding.

The Canon 85mm 1.8 I ordered, handled the stills and most of the ceremony. Although flash was allowed, I prefer to shoot without...

Table settings complete with handmade table cloths, sewn by the bride...


Groomsman escorts his daughter (actually shot with the24-70mm 2.8)

The Canon 24-70mm 2.8 lens on the borrowed Canon 60D was my work horse. The 60D handled similar enough to my 40D that I felt comfortable with it right away while taking advantage of many of the added features such as the flip out viewfinder and flash control settings.

Bridal party with the (very) happy couple!

I also borrowed a Cannon 70-200 2.8 that did not come out of the bag once during the wedding, but I did get to practice with it Saturday morning...

My son practicing his moves with one of his instructors.

On Sunday, following a portrait session at Seven Arrows Herb Farm (the most serene place in my world), I took the gear out for a personal play date with some of the elements in the sacred garden spaces created by Mich and Judy, owners of the "uncommon nursery."

The main entrance to the garden.

Saint Francis keeping a watchful eye over the creatures inhabiting the gardens.

One of the hundreds of varieties of heirloom plants for sale.

One of the many varieties of hostas found in gardens and for sale.

Something blue...very blue.

I had to send everything back today (after one last fling with the 85mm 1.8). But, I now know that I have access to the gear I need to complete just about any job!

Muddy warriors!

A Grand Finale

2011-06-09T21:02:00.003-04:00

Tutus, tap shoes, and glitter (lots of glitter) and excited young dancers...

This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking pictures for the In Step Dance Studio in Seekonk, MA. Organizing a recital for students ages two to eighteen is no small feat, but Michelle Souza did an incredible job with a limited amount chaos and stress. The recital was adorable and in the case of the teenage group, stunning.

This was a challenge for me. I need a new lens I decided. I wound up needing to use my flash exclusively during the dress rehearsal. During the afternoon I did individual portraits of some of the dancers which was more within my comfort zone except that I was trying to create a studio set up outside the studio. I wanted to marry traditional dance portraits with my own style.Usually I get to move around and really look for interesting lighting situations, but this was different. I was setting up and tearing down while trying to work with clients which felt awkward, but parents and dancers were very patient. It felt authentic in that it was my dress rehearsal, too!

It wasn't perfect, but I learned a lot and had a great time getting to know some of the students and parents. I appreciate Michelle trusting me to document what was truly A Grand Finale.

Work On Display at PCR (Providence Coffee Roasters)

2011-02-19T11:07:00.000-05:00

I love my neighborhood.

The neighborhood is a real neighborhood where kids ride bikes, parents watch each others kids, folks borrow a cup of sugar. There's a deli, a bakery, a post office, a pharmacy, a diner, a bank, and now there is a coffee shop. A real live coffee shop with fair trade organic coffee roasted in house where we can actually witness the process.

Providence Coffee Roasters aim is to provide excellent coffee to our customers that is not only some of the best quality coffee around, but is ethically traded and organically grown with close attention to our environmental impact as an organization. By doing things like printing out labels locally with soy ink and on recycled paper, we strive to be as socially conscious as possible. We do all of this because we believe your coffee can change the world.

Needless to say, when I was offered an opportunity to hang some of my work in their shop, I was honored. It feels great to be able to partner with a local business that creates and believes in a high quality ethical product and is committed to the community it's in.Their are also two other artists who have hung work as well. I believe we are all local.

A coffee shop is not just about acquiring a caffeine fix. It's about bringing people together. People from the community gather and linger. Faces become more regular and more friendly. It's a place where people smile at each other and talk.

As much as this post is about announcing that I have work hanging for the next two months that I would love people to come out and see, it is also about supporting an important new addition to my neighborhood. Please come to my neighborhood. Support a local artist. Support a local business.

Seeking Inspiration

2011-01-23T11:32:00.004-05:00

Last Fall I went walking around the closest thing we have to nature in my neighborhood...The Pond. It's about a third of a mile loop. Depending on which direction you're walking, the pond is on your right and up the bank about 50 yards are houses. It's not exactly the kind of place you could get lost. But, if you keep looking straight ahead and to your right, it's peaceful and even quite beautiful.

I am not much of a landscape photographer, but I am always trying to develop my vision. I am drawn to the textures of the water; the colors of the leaves; the monochromatic lines of the trunks and branches; the forms of the trees and vines that have grown together...some of these would have been nice abstract paintings.

But they're not.

Winter Reflection

2011-01-04T00:12:00.000-05:00

This was truly a great holiday season, although I am truly grateful it's over! At the beginning of the New Year, I reorganize my photo files and spend some time scrolling through to look at some of my favorites. I also reflect on what worked (and what didn't) and what I want to improve on as a photographer. My job is exciting and challenging. I love it.

I am also really looking forward to Spring and receiving calls from the gift certificate recipients...lots of new babies, four legged "babies", and great families to meet! Summer weddings to look forward to as well as birthday parties and dance recitals. I really do enjoy it all...

Why I love my job #60

2010-12-06T17:44:00.000-05:00

There is no rhyme or reason to the numbers I assign to "why I love my job" posts. There are so many I've stopped counting! Number 60 is that I get to meet and work with families and their interesting, creative, and beautiful kids.

When I work with older children I love letting them lead...I let them play and get used my being there, then I ask them what they think would make for a great picture. The reality is that as much as the pictures we take of our kids are for us (and those with whom we share), they are also for them. In twenty years or so, these are the pictures that will tell their story. It's important they are a part of how that story is told. Plus it gets them involved. When they are making some of the choices, they tend to make fewer funny faces!

And when they're not looking, sometimes we catch the sweetest moment...

Why Shutterfly?

2010-11-28T10:48:00.002-05:00

After scanning through several sites looking for the best deals and the best designs, I have settled on Shutterfly for my cards, calendars, and photo books this year. I have experimented with other sites that offer less expensive similar products, but they are not the same quality. Aside from the value, the designs are outstanding.

I happen to love squares and they offer square cards! Yes other sites offer squares (not many though), but Shutterfly's price point is better and there is a fantastic variety of templates. I am going to use a multi-photo square card so I can feature each of my children as well as our family and the kids together.

In the past I have also had Shutterfly deliver my Father's Day cards for me. Cutting out the extra step of having to get to the post office has been invaluable!

Photo books have become an annual gift giving tradition for the grandparents. Shutterfly offers two options for assembling your books. One is that you can place them in the book as you go along choosing each page layout depending on how many photos you want to feature. Or you can upload an album and they'll place the pictures in there for you! How easy is that?

Calendars are another great gift that become traditional keepsakes. I like them because I can feature photos I have taken throughout the year. You can be planning throughout the year and create images that define each month for you. Maybe it's landscape or still life rather than family...

I have also used Shutterfly for photo sharing. It's a nice alternative to sending multiple jpegs and folks can order directly from the posted album. You can create your own page and as you update, you can notify your friends and family so they can see your latest pictures throughout the year.

That's why I Shutterfly!

Winding Down

2010-11-22T22:56:00.000-05:00

After rescheduling twice I finally had the sincere pleasure of spending part of my Saturday afternoon with these captivating (and handsome) brothers. Touring their local park revealed several locations where they posed but mostly played (and sometimes provoked one another) while I had the experience of documenting these enchanting individuals relating as siblings. A magnificent way to spend a fall afternoon....

Learning curve

2010-11-16T00:23:00.003-05:00

I spent my weekend learning. Learning about teaching social studies and literacy from a special educator perspective (I am six credits away from an M.Ed.). I also learned how to make a stuffed bat using a felted sweater which involved re-learning how to use my eight-year-old daughter's sewing machine she received for Christmas when she was five.

I was also learning about myself as a photographer. I have resisted generating income with photography. I have a BFA in photography that I earned back in the days of film. I also studied in a fine arts based program with little (really no) focus on commercial lighting. Digital darkrooms were just beginning to take over. Photography was on the cusp of transforming from a chemical process to a digital procedure. It is not so much that I resisted the technology as I was waiting for the movement to stabilize...which it has for the most part.

This was an exciting session that worked with remarkable ease

What is most challenging for me is the "social" aspect of the job. I love meeting with clients and working with their children and families, but I am learning that no matter how much I would like my subjects to be themselves and let me document what I perceive to be the most authentic moments, it doesn't always work that way. My attempts to act as more of an observer than participant can backfire, because some subjects expect direction and I need to increase my comfort level with that.

This family, however, was camera ready...an amazing group of kids who were at ease with the camera from the minute we started shooting.

(Almost) Wordless Weekend

2010-11-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

Another very busy weekend with some amazing families and a moving memorial event...

Standard Service Page

2010-11-04T16:50:00.003-04:00

I added a page describing my standard services and the fees associated. I am passionate about creating photographs that people will stop, look, and feel connected to or nostalgic for even if the moment happened just a few hours ago. These are the pictures that will hopefully not end up here http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/ (although some might).
Being affordable enough that people can routinely update pictures of growing children and families is part of my business structure. It do not want my photography to be a luxury that gets invested in once every five years in lieu of a family vacation. I would rather it become more like a significantly more pleasurable bi-annual dentist visit or annual check-up. That being said, appropriate compensation for my skill and time keeps this venture from feeling like just another job...because it isn't. It's personal for me as it is to those who hire me.

For those of you who have not seen the Holiday Special yet, please take a look at it. It is a standard mini session for only $50.00 which is perfect for holiday cards. This offer expires November 21st and my weekends are booked through November 14 (I work during the week as well).

If the timing does not appear to work, there is one more way you can participate in this fantastic deal....gift certificates. I am now offering gift certificates for Standard Portrait and Mini-Sessions. The Standard Portrait session is $100.00 and the Mini-Session is on sale for $50.00 through November 21, 2010 (after 11/21 mini-sessions will be the usual $75.00)*

It's a fabulous gift!

*If the person you are giving the gift to lives outside a 25 mile radius of Providence, RI, appropriate travel expenses will need to be added or incurred by the recipient.

New Work

2010-11-02T00:09:00.001-04:00

Working consistently has some obvious benefits. I was creating the portrait page, adding and removing images as I sifted through folders and files appreciating how much I have learned the past several months. Images I thought were right on before have been replaced by more recent more improved pieces. I am also aware that what I consider to be my best work is not necessarily what the client feels is the best image. And that is okay

I was reading a post made by a long time friend who is also a painter/ illustrator. She is learning to create on an electronic tablet in the same way I am still adjusting and increasing my understanding of the digital darkroom. I don't really miss the chemical darkroom, but I try and connect with that careful process. There were so many variables- and there are now, too. They're just different and I am not surrounded by fellow photographers or being guided by experienced teachers...it's just me and my humility. My willingness to make mistakes, learn more, and recognize that my skills are intuitive and technology will come with experience.

Wordless Weekend

2010-10-26T02:27:00.000-04:00

Beach Boys

2010-10-16T00:47:00.002-04:00

Living in the Ocean State, one would think I would spend lots of time at the ocean. Instead I take for granted that I live a mere half mile from the bay and a few miles from Barrington Beach. Once summer ends, it's like the beach ceases to exist.

Having left my phone at the zoo and my wallet in my husbands car, I was forced to find something to do close to home that would cost nothing and get us outside and tuckered out. I found myself in Barrington heading for the playground, but just couldn't do it. Then I remembered the beach...

I dug out the hats, the boys kicked off their shoes and fearlessly headed strait into the sand and towards the water. I just sat in the sun with my camera while the boys dug in the sand, threw rocks into the water, checked out the boats, asked questions about seagulls. Why hadn't I thought of this before?

Although October makes me want to head for the orchards and pumpkin patches, the ocean remains practically at my back door. It is as entertaining and beautiful now as it is in the summer...maybe even more.

Dance Class

2010-10-13T14:03:00.003-04:00

My son has wanted to take a dance class for a very long time.This picture is one of my favorites, taken at my daughter's first and only observation day at her dance class. Dance was not for my daughter, but my boys love music and dancing around the house, so it was time to take action. Last Friday I took the little guy to a dance class. I bought him dance shoes which are the same ballet slippers girls wear. He loves them and I figure that by the time he feels awkward about it (if he ever does) he'll be able to navigate whether he cares or not.

Why I Love My Job #152

2010-10-06T23:34:00.001-04:00

Waiting for the perfect moment, the best light, the right outfit, just doesn't represent life as we know it...especially life with and for children.

The weather was awful, the light was practically non-existent, my subject was pretty cooked, but that was the day we picked to take pictures, so take pictures we did. Layer in the fact my own three-year-old was screaming he just wanted to get out and go home the entire ride to the location and we have potential for complete disaster.

The subject was my niece who I find incredibly endearing, because of her wild child energy, deeply layered with sass and compassion. Trying to capture her felt like a struggle, because I didn't feel like I could set up my camera to perform fast enough to catch her. It actually took me a day to upload, because I was dreading working with the "big grain blur".

My favorite aspect of taking photographs is the (sometimes)quiet time I get to spend peeling through the shots, pushing and pulling to get the right color, texture, composition that enhances the moment. But what I really love is this unique one on one time I get to spend with my subject, which in this case was my niece; time where I get to deeply appreciate the brief, dramatic expressions that have defined her from infancy. While playing back the series of images, I found myself a little emotional and honored to be witness to her life and growth That connection is why I love my job. I am so glad that I ignored my sons plea to turn around and took time to capture her (and her Mom) in these moments.

Finally Fall

2010-10-04T08:49:00.009-04:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have been feeling like fall was never gong to really get here before the apples were picked off the trees and the pumpkins rotted in the fields, but alas I was wrong! Today it was chilly enough for hats and sweaters and off we went to Barden Orchards to get what will hopefully not be our only apple run. We had never been to this orchard before, but really enjoyed it.I opted to let Dad and S do most of the picking while I documented the trip. The boys mostly hung out in the wagon. J was grumpy as usual. I did manage to get some of my favorite family photos. After editing I have about 50 in this album!

Reminiscing...

2010-10-02T12:34:00.000-04:00

I love this picture. Fall in Vermont. It's what Fall is all about and I almost feel a little ripped off this year with all the warm weather.Who wants to sling apples through an orchard in eighty degree heat? On this day it was actually cold. We pulled every layer out of our car and donned them to go pick pumpkins and get lost in a corn maze.Maybe tomorrow, no matter what the weather, we'll dive into Fall....

Holiday Photo Time

2010-09-30T17:22:00.007-04:00

This time last year I was preparing to give birth and could hardly think beyond my impending labor. This year, like the many of you, I have other things looming, like back-to-school, birthdays, and Halloween. But most of all, I am happy to announce I will be available to take Holiday Photos of children, animal children (as opposed to human children) and entire families!

These images are created at a location of your choice (if it's exotic-and I am not opposed to exotic, you'll need to cover my travel expenses).

They need to be be pretty much taken in the clothes on your back...in other words frequent wardrobe changes are discouraged.

The total time spent taking pictures will about 30-45 minutes. From that I will provide you with a DVD with a minimum of 10 images that you will have the right to make prints from, post on your blog, facebook page, and of course create holiday cards from. In other words, they are your images to do with what you like.

All for $50.00

Unless, you would like a longer shoot, more wardrobe changes, or for me to provide you with a proof book. Prices then start at $75.00, however, I highly recommend booking me for the Holiday Special because:

I always shoot until I feel like I have plenty to work with...in other words even though I am committing to 30-45 minutes, I may want to go a little longer.
If I have more than 10 working images, you will get them. I am just committing myself to 10 minimum.
It's a great deal!

To book a shoot, email me at cadamsart@cox.net or feel free to call me at (401) 477-4722. I do not charge more for weekends, but it's first come first serve and of course weather permitting (I shoot using natural light).

Faces of Little Guy

2010-08-14T20:59:00.011-04:00

Such the dope I am. I forgot to check my ISO when I started taking pictures today and shot these at 1000. I could not for the life of me figure out why they had so much grain distortion. Of course I was literally supposed to be running out the door with all three kids, but I absolutely had to take a picture of a painting I completed (not). But, I took the pictures anyway while Little Guy wanted to sit for a bit (right in the way). Needless to say I missed some details in the set up. These pictures are kind of neat anyway. Little Guy does not generally like to have his picture taken... he acts all serious and intense. Of course he is pretty serious and intense...

Nasturtium...is that right?

2010-07-23T23:11:00.006-04:00

I decided that I needed to get back out into the garden and document some more. It's at a point where I take for granted the bounty it provides with little to no maintenance. It was starting to rain and with the overcast skies, the color of the nasturtiums was incredible. Plus the beauty of the leaves...and they seem to be doing their job keeping pests away from my ginormous tomatoes!

When I was picking some flowers to add to the top of a cake yesterday, I was really noticing the unique shape of the flower bud. I am not a take-a-picture-of-a-flower kind of gal, but I can't help myself these days.

Not So Secret Garden

2010-07-13T01:45:00.004-04:00

I planted a garden this year...on my front lawn. I wasn't exactly sure what would come of this new 200 square feet of planting space. I knew that I wanted everything to be edible and things my family would actually eat. That amounted to planting saucing tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, herbs, watermelon, chili peppers, squash, pumpkins, corn, beans and cucumbers. We already had blueberry and raspberry bushes which have been very productive this year!

What I've got as of now is a massive nearly out of control vegetable extravaganza that not only feeds my appetite for fresh food, but my creative one as well (it has even inspired me to get back to posting on my blog). Every time I go out into the garden, I seem to stumble upon some exquisite feature of a plant I have never noticed before and of course I have to document it. Mind you, I am not a take-pictures-of-flowers kind of gal- or I wasn't. I suppose I like to think that my pictures of flowers aren't the usual, but that is always left to subjective opinions of viewers.

In addition to my photographic musings, I think I have convinced my husband that I should have a drawing space in the front room. It's allowed providing I use it!

Summer

2009-07-30T00:52:00.004-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog for quite sometime. I guess the "mama" has taken over the "shot"! However, I have been shooting and enjoying the summer despite the unusual weather. The rain has not been all bad as you can see form these images of the kids.

Corny? or Amaizing

2008-10-20T18:22:00.003-04:00

While in Vermont this weekend, we spent some time playing in the leaves and going around a spectacular corn maze. The withered ears of corn and their stalks took on personalities of their own and the sunflowers loomed heavily on their stems reaching through the rows of corn. The late afternoon sun enhanced the autumn colors. The light and breeze breathed a little bit of life into imminent death. It was an amaizing afternoon spent in the good company of friends.

Eggs Over Medium

2008-09-09T13:23:00.000-04:00

The day following tropical storm,Hannah, we found ourselves enjoying what may be one of the last beach days of the season at Elephant Rock Beach in Westport, MA. With my mother-in-law watching the baby, I was able to have some alone time with my camera and my daughter. My husband was able to have his best boogie boarding day ever!
The surf was incredible and the scenery was different than what I was used to since the shore was more rocky than Second Beach. The evening light was also quite spectacular and seemed to get more beautiful as the sun went deeper below the silhouettes of the houses at the end of the beach. What really caught my eye were the relationships between the sand, surf, and objects on shore. This one particular rock caught my eye and so I watched it tumble and burrow into the sand as waves lapped over it. After it came to rest the water left behind a foam wash that encompassed the rock and Well-ah! It looked like a fried egg! (My daughter loves her eggs over medium so she got a real kick out of the shot.) The scene was quickly washed away by the next breath of the ocean.
I also got some nice images of Oma holding the baby and watching S play in the surf. Overall it was a great way to enjoy the last glimpses of summer.

Links List

2008-09-06T12:54:00.000-04:00

I was exploring online today and started a links list of artists works that I found interesting. I'll keep adding as I go along...

More mama than shots

2008-09-04T08:14:00.002-04:00

Back to school. Seeing S onto the bus and into her first day of first grade was the bigger part of my day. Later my friend came by and we shot our artwork and had dinner. I like looking at my friend's paintings and feeling inspired to make more art. I go back and forth between feeling like I take better pictures than make paintings and make better paintings than take pictures. Some days I actually might be better at one than the other. I feel compelled to choose since I have little time to work...

Workflow

2008-09-03T00:03:00.000-04:00

Processing digital images is similar to processing film. That is what I discovered today. The actual process is entirely different, but my feelings about working with the images are the same. Most of the work should be done in the camera even if you know you can fix it in a photo editing program. The "workflow" stage is similar to developing the film and creating contact sheets. If after completing basic adjustments to the RAW files there still seems to be a need to spend hours reworking it in Photoshop, maybe the image just isn't meant to be (in light of my last post, I swear I am not just being lazy).

When I shot film, I was bit of a purist. I truly believed that if after shooting and developing my film I couldn't get a solid print off a negative in no more than three tries with minimal dodging and burning, than the image was not meant to be. No sense wasting paper or time. I guess I feel similar with digital processing. If you can't make it work in the initial phase of editing, don't drag it into Photoshop with hopes of a miracle.

I am continuing on my quest to practice seeing and making more sophisticated images. I am very out of practice. I took some long exposures at a backyard campfire that are kind of interesting in that I figured out how to process them so they came close to the original colors with orange accents from the flames. Currently, the pictures of my kids are still my strongest images.

Now I need to back up pics to a website...digital workflow is definitely time consuming.

(Actually, I need to get to bed so I can get up on time to get S on the bus for her first day back at school)

Teething in Photoshop

2008-08-29T04:37:00.000-04:00

Tonight I finally downloaded Photoshop CS3 to check it out and see what I could remember. Not a whole lot! I did get some editing done and decided to not to save. It's a bit of a painful process. Simultaneously my son is teething which so far has not been too bad, but he just wants to sit in the crook of my left arm (I am going to have one impressive bicep) forcing me to try and maneuver my mouse with one hand and do some serious finger pecking.

The images I was working with are not my usual (people/ figures). Landscapes have always eluded me both when I paint and take photographs. I'm trying to train my eye, I guess. If I'm consistently working on my vision it can only help me when I am working with more familiar/ comfortable subject matter. That's my theory anyway.

Another theory I am going to subscribe to, "Sleep when the baby sleeps"...especially now.