I'm doing this because I've found that we modern folks often present our best sides to the world online: our prettiest photos, our snappiest comments, the highlights. (One could, of course, argue all public life has this in common. But online life is somehow even more of a one way conversation and is more filtered.) Perhaps this makes us look at the good things in our lives. But I think that sometimes we also find our lives lacking when comparisons are made--to others' lives or to our presented lives. So I thought I'd do a project that looks at both the
beautiful and the hideous in everyday life.
General rules/observations:
1) I am a historian. Photos might not always be posted the day they are taken, but will at least be properly labelled. (Revised Feb. 7. : I'll do what I can. )
2) I don't like flash.
3) Revised Sept. 27: There will
generally be a beautiful and an ugly everyday. But sometimes it may be up to the viewer to suss out which is which.
And sometimes, if I find I'm having to actively search for one or the other, I'll post whatever the heck I feel like. I think the central rule is I'll be aiming to avoid the prettified version of life.
4) Thus far, I'm not aiming for themes or connections between the two daily photos. But they will surely creep in.
5) There will be some redundancy. I hope the patterns illuminate.
6) Sometimes the beauty or the ugly is less in the visual presented and more in the essence of the thing.
7) Sometimes the beautiful and the ugly present themselves almost
simultaneously.
8)
Sept. 27: I'm gearing up for some big changes in my life. As this happens, I want to include more words, more other stuff. I think I'll still try to be spare with words on image heavy days, but if words are needed to clarify, I'll use them. And if I feel like recording something I didn't get a picture of, or linking to a song, I'll let myself do that too.9) The goal is five posts a week, generally on weekdays. Sometimes I'll post late at night. (Secret: My computer is on Hawaii time.) Sometimes pics of the previous day will be the material.
Bold and Noble poster. Coffee plant.
Bag of bags, now located at the top of the stairs. My keychain.
Locally made, espressso coffee soda. Backyard.
Rainy (not snowy) day. Chipping windowsill.
Pepper plant. Pepper plant.
View from the Rutgers Newark parking lot. Trash can needs a new bag.
Crocus bulbs getting some sun. Messy desk.
Easter Domokun. Files that need sorting out.
New Stairs. Old Stairs.
Sexy office supplies make semester prep more glam. This pile of laundry has been in the entry hall longer than I care to admit.
Retro Alarm clock that wakes one up with light. Toes two months past their last real pedicure.
Oxfam America's donations page. Haiti earthquake news.
Chocolate and a groovy tin from friends, we're not sure why. Wintering plants that (still) need to be composted. 
Costco salted, caramelled macadamia clusters. The corner of the bathtub.
Tartan blanket from Edinburgh- the perfect blue. Pile of stuff on the dresser.
Lavender soap in a loved Indian dish. Cold water, silverware and popsicle stick in the sink.
Coffee plant in the office terrarium. Important papers on the cork board.
Kitchen counter chaos. Cherry strudel for breakfast. 
