Melissa’s Blog

Bringing Back the Curtsy Friday, May 28, 2010

Cursty: a respectful bow made by women and girls, consisting of bending the knees and lowering the body.

Why wouldn’t you show your belayer a little bit of respect before starting a climb? They are after all taking on the responsibility of saving your life. I was reading Vince’s “Three Things You Should Do On Every Climb” and remembered a hilarious conversation a group of us had recently at Skaha. We were talking about the three things Vince mentions in his post and then suggested we add a forth thing. Imagine climbing around the world and, as Canadians, having the ridiculous ceremony of curtsying before a climb. The Spanish kiss each other on the cheek, the French roll cigarettes – so why shouldn’t we have a signature pre-climb ritual?
For those of you who are wondering where exactly you would insert the curtsy into your pre-climb routine, I have outlined it here for you.

Climber: “Figure 8’s good. I’m double backed.”
Belayer: “Beaner locked. You’re good to go.”
Climber curtsies.
Climber: “Climbing.”
Belayer: “Climb on.”

Now if you’re a man out there, let me save you a lot of embarrassment by explaining that curtsying is only done by women. If you would like to show some respect to your belayer, the appropriate way would be to bow at the waist.

And so there you have it. Our new Canadian, pre-climb, show-your-belayer-a-bit -of-respect ritual.

Hitchhikin’ to Vegas Thursday, March 11, 2010

So, I thought it would be hilarious to do a hitch-hiking photo series on my road trip down to Las Vegas for the WPPI convention.  My long-time friend, and fellow photographer Heather Goldsworthy from Image Obscura just happened to be accompanying me along the way…and lucky for me, she is game for anything!

Some of the locations were based on the landscape and light…others were based on where we stopped for a bathroom break.  Within 20 minutes of pulling over, the car exploded onto the side of the road.  Suitcases everywhere.  It didn’t take us long to get ourselves into a groove.  We’d get into costume, then Heather would write the sign, and I would set the camera up.  This is definitely a time where a remote trigger would have come in handy…because racing that 10 second timer in 3.5 inch heels was a real pain in the arse.  Especially after the third run!

The trip according to mapquest from Nelson, BC to Las Vegas, Nevada should have taken us about 18 hours.  We apparently tacked on an additional 6 hours each way with all of our shenanigans.

Enjoy!

“Vegas Baby”
First shot of the trip.  We were about 5 minutes past the border crossing when we stopped for this one.  Think I got the shot in 4…but yeah, the 10 second jog in those heels…killer. 
Metaline Falls, Washington


“Viva Mexico”
This one - we were parked out in front of someone’s house….giggling to ourselves as we imagined what the people might be thinking if they were watching us!
Near Walla Walla, WA


“Hawaii”
Can you say hands so cold they’ll make ya cry?  This was definitely the dedication shot of the series.  Standing on the side of the road in our bikinis at about 6:30 in the morning…once again as a few confused morning commuters drove by.  I really hope we made some people laugh.  This is also the famed location of the “lost goats” sign.  Finding that sign was like a dream come true. 
Boise, Idaho


“Detroit Rock City”
I love this photo.  I’m pretty sure I might need a good size print of this in my house!  This road saw a lot of traffic, in fact, we actually confused a few motorists…as a few slowed down, almost to a stop and then read the sign and kept driving.  Again…we were laughing hysterically…
Nevada/Idaho border area


“Aspen”
This one might be tied for my fav.  This one was taken outside of Nelson, NV at a ghost town.  We had set up a shoot with some friends Steve Z, Chuck Arlund, Neil Cowley, Stephanie & Peter Zettl and towards the end of the day when things were wrapping up with the models…I saw this truck and the sign…and new it had to be ours.  I had been hoping to get a shot with us actually catching a ride…so this turned out perfect.  Plus, we both love any excuse to wear those fabulous snowsuits in public. 
Nelson, Nevada


“Home”
We pulled over here figuring we ought to get a snowy shot.  Due to our experience in the cold in our bikinis…we decided it would be a great place to keep our clothes on and shoot the final frame here.  Quick and easy…wish I would have shot another one as there’s a snowflake right in front of my face…but ah well.  I’m pretty sure I’m not going to win any awards for these! 
North of Salt Lake City, UT


“Overlook Hotel”
Apparently this creeps some people out.  Heather and I scored these matching dresses at a second hand store in Vegas for 5 bucks each.  When we came out of the dressing room and saw that they fit us like a glove…we knew we had to have them!  Steve Z saw the dresses and mentioned the movie “The Shinning” and ended up doing a shot like this for us at the hotel in Vegas…but we felt we should probably incorporate the dresses it into the hitching series…so here we are again.  I think I’m glad I never saw the movie!
Lima, Montana (Go to Jan’s Cafe for pie!)


“Late for Wedding”
Heather and I joked about making her a youtube series on how to get ready for a wedding in seven minutes.  She literally went from braids to an updo and make-up in no time. 
East of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

I love adventures!