merry xmas y'all

With our bellies bloated from brunch, we all decided to hit the local sledding spot to take a spin on some old, plastic toboggans (and even some inflatable tubes that popped but Todd still found their deflated carcasses useful for sledding) There really is no good way to explain this video except that my little nephew, Charlie, is one tough-@$$ kid.



Merry Christmas from Emily Nelson on Vimeo.

makes me crazy

I've got an informal list of things that make me crazy and this is on it. The holiday season is commercial insanity and we all see the same ads over and over and over again - this one stands out. And what's incredibly baffling is that it's been airing since what, 1992? Really? I'm assuming White Diamonds shoppers know exactly which aisle in the grocery store they can purchase this magical scent. This commercial kinda destroys whatever pleasant memories I hold for Elizabeth Taylor. I'll share it with you. And to my girls in NYC...yeah I know.

off to Brooklyn!

I'm off to Brooklyn to visit my most amazing crew of friends from college. Somehow it all worked out that the dozen or so of them all ended up living the life in the city. I was stubborn and decided to stick to my rural, mountain-loving roots. They're all scattered throughout the city...but we reunite every year at this time to celebrate our birthdays because as crazy as it is, a bunch of us are December babies so it's time to clink our glasses and celebrate. I just hope I can keep up with all the plans and excitement, this little country girl doesn't get a taste of the city too much anymore. I'm gonna be up WAY past my bedtime...but I'll leave you guys with a few photos they sent my way. Would I be friends with anyone else? :)

all red in the face

I was honored again with a 2nd place win in the latest National Press Photographers Association Multimedia Contest for my OxyContin series that published in October. I am thrilled! The newspaper industry is a very uncertain place right now as lay-offs have been striking newsrooms around the country (including the Burlington Free Press) and the mood within our own newsroom was pretty bleak this week as several of our co-workers received their pink slips on Wednesday. I'm still very passionate about the news industry and am ever curious to see which direction we're headed, so keeping ahead of the curve by embracing the new wave of web-based publishing and multimedia has been very important to me. To be recognized for this work is simply awesome! I've received some great reactions to the project from community members, colleagues, local law enforcement, teachers, principals and families that are struggling with drug addiction in their families and I'm really proud of the discussion it has spawned around Vermont. But now, to have my piece welcomed into a national press forum is fantastic!

pinkpinkpink

I got myself into a whole mess of pink dresses the other day when I stopped by the Miss Vermont/Miss Teen Vermont USA Pageant at the Sheraton. I really had no interest in the actual pageant, but I really wanted to see what was going on behind the scenes and the girls were kind enough to oblige. When I walked in the room I was immediately greeted by shrill screams of excitement...and no, those screams weren't for me, they were for each other since the energy level was something unparalleled. Was I like this in high school? Was I this hyper, excited, elated and giddy? Everything seemed to be a brand-new experience. I immediately wanted to judge this age-old pastime for its "shallow values" but these girls were having a blast! I might think the girls' most favorite part of the pageant was behind-the-scenes where they could let loose, be silly and play with all their make-up, beauty tools, hairspray and of course, strut in front of the floor length mirrors that decorated the walls of their prep room.

Unfortunately, this photo never ran in the paper. But, that's what I have this blog for, to share it anyway! I thought this one captured the pink chaos I was experiencing. How many layers of eye shadow must one apply before you are really, really ready? How much hairspray to get those curls to bounce just so? How much tape is needed to wrap those little piggies until they're runway ready? The answer: it's never enough until the Queen Bee is crowned.

Enjoy!

O Christmas Tree!

My work day is never dull. I often tell people that if they need to work by a strict schedule, have a clue what's coming around the bend, or refuse to work a 9+ hour work day then they should not become a photojournalist. I started my shift at a Winooski trailer park yesterday covering a story about heating assistance programs, but I was quickly pulled off that story and raced to Jericho to meet up with these guys (pictured) to collect donated Christmas trees from tree farms all across Vermont to send to the troops serving overseas - an awesome way to spread some holiday cheer. It was time for a road trip of the best kind. As these guys hauled sappy pines, balsams and firs to their truck I was busy snapping away and collecting audio for the slideshow I'd pull from this. Yesterday was gorgeous, a perfect day for a road trip through the Vermont landscape. We started in Jericho, headed to Morrisville, Cabot and then finally Walden. Stopping off for grinders at a gas station along the way we talked gas prices and Christmas shopping scams. I learned a lot about hunting and of course, a lot about trees and the tree farming business. Being able to sit shotgun with these guys for an entire day of xmas tree collecting was pretty cool and I like the photos I grabbed along the way. Each tree farmer we met was different from the last, but they did all share that great, quaint, kinda-shy farmer vibe that I love.

Check out the audio slideshow I produced for today's paper...and as always...enjoy!

Trees for Troops!