<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727</id><updated>2011-04-21T12:28:35.815-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Debt Free by 30 UPDATES</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>19</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-5241532149016235838</id><published>2008-04-07T09:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-04-07T09:48:06.859-07:00</updated><title type='text'>1000 Prints Sold</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/1000prints.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/1000prints.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Thank you SO much for helping me sell 1000 prints so&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;far!!  Very Exciting!!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-5241532149016235838?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/5241532149016235838/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=5241532149016235838' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5241532149016235838'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5241532149016235838'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/04/1000-prints-sold.html' title='1000 Prints Sold'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-4772710247976689815</id><published>2008-03-16T19:02:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-16T19:17:36.473-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Santa Barbara Independent - Article</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Wanted to share my mention in a recent art column in the &lt;a href="http://www.independent.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"&gt;Santa Barbara Independent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;... by Heather Jeno.  Click &lt;a href="http://www.independent.com/news/2008/mar/13/art-hamachi-and-hot-dogs/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; to see the article, entitled "Art for Hamachi and Hot Dogs," based around art happenings found outside the typical gallery settings.  My print show, formerly up at Coffee Cat on Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara, has been condensed and moved to the Starbucks on Victoria (1235 State Street).  Thanks to Carrie and Matt for moving my show, thanks to Heather for mentioning my project and also thanks to Susan, manager of Starbucks, for hosting &lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:x-large;"&gt;show #3&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-4772710247976689815?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/4772710247976689815/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=4772710247976689815' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/4772710247976689815'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/4772710247976689815'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/03/santa-barbara-independent-article.html' title='Santa Barbara Independent - Article'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-224228533118964865</id><published>2008-03-16T18:27:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-16T18:57:48.715-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The First 3rd Degree of Separation!!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:x-large;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;This is very exciting!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;  Thanks to my friend Kelly in Santa Barbara (see image #8, as well as her response from November's posts, entitled Coffee and Weddings), who was inspired to pass the project on to her friends, and some of those friends to their friends....well I have reached my first, 3rd degree of separation!  Here's how it went... 1. I shared the project with Kelly.  2. Kelly shared it with her friend Kelly.  3.  That Kelly shared it with her friend Rhonda!  Thanks so much to all three, their support and encouragement, as well as sharing the stories of how they know each other!  The collection of these stories remains a very big part of this project and what makes it so special to me!  Please continue to share!  I will include all 3 letters so you can trace the connections...&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;1st Degree&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Hi Friends,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;In this email you'll see a beautiful and inspriation letter written by my girlfriend, Melanie -- many of you may know her from our wedding and the incredible job she did photographing and designing our invitations and programs. Melanie is embarking on an admirable journey over the next year to eliminate her personal debt by providing beautiful, low cost prints of many of her beloved photographs. Please read on for her explanation of her project and how you may choose to participate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;I first met Melanie when we worked together at Starbucks in Santa Barbara. We began working there within two weeks of each other; with our matching Starbucks uniforms and our long, blonde hair pulled back in ponytails many customers mistook one of us for the other. We got a kick out of that, and quickly formed a connection. We worked together for two years, but it wasn't until I quit the store that our friendship really began to develop, and it wasn't until the year she spent by my side helping me brainstorm and plan many elements of my wedding that I began to think of her as one of my very best friends. Not only did we wile away the hours hand-making wedding invitations, addressing envelopes, editing photographs and working with color, layout and design, we made time for happy hours and dinner out and coffees downtown. We shared many a good bottle of wine and for awhile were each other's frequent date to the movies. When Will and I moved it was Melanie who packed boxes until well past midnight and then appeared on our doorstep before sunrise the next morning -- coffees in hand -- ready to help unload the U-haul truck. Melanie is one of the most selfless, giving, inspirational and talented people I've ever had the privelege to know, and her friendship means so much to me. I love her dearly... and wish her all the luck in the world with this admirable project.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Kelly S.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;2nd Degree&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hi Everyone!&lt;br /&gt;This is a special project from a friend of a friend of mine.  I have many friends named Kelly and one of the Kelly's (from Santa Barbara) is a friend that I met through Tim's school.  Her son and Tim were in Kindergarten together and she and I have kept in touch and get the kids together when our schedules allow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When I met Kelly she was also a single mom so right away we had something in common... besides our name.  Just this year she got married and I was fortunate enough to be invited and attend her beautiful wedding.  She is an amazing person and an incredible mom.  I get inspired by her creativity and her interactions with Isaac and enjoy spending time with them both whenever we have the chance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I met Kelly's friend Melanie when I was at her bridal shower and her wedding.  She designed amazing wedding invitations and all the printed items at the wedding were her original creations as well.  I had no idea she was also a photographer until I got this email from Kelly.  After reading Melanie's story below, I was impressed with her idea for this project and definitely wanted to help out.  I ordered several of her prints right away and almost forgot to send off the story which was the most important part...It was always my intention but time just kept getting away from me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So here it is...my story to send....and you will be able to read Melanie's story as well as my friend Kelly's story about Melanie as well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There's more...I got the pictures in the mail yesterday from Melanie.  Let me tell you....they are even better than the PDF document can detail.  Incredible quality and each one is personally autographed and individually wrapped for protection as well.  I'm am even more impressed with her now too.  She has incredible quality photos, integrity for her work and quick turnaround time with her complete dedication to her project.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have to say....for $2 each print....WHAT A BARGAIN!   I ordered about 8 of them and planned to put them on the front of a blank piece of card stock and make my own greeting cards.  Now, I may have to get more so I can make greeting cards and have some of them framed too.  They are very nice and I think it's a great way to put the very talents she gained to use by getting her project off the ground.  Very creative!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I can assure you they are of great quality and you will be more than pleased if you decide to purchase some of them for yourself.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thanks!&lt;br /&gt;Have a great day and a Happy New year!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kelly H.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;3rd Degree&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hello,&lt;br /&gt;This is extremely long to read though very interesting.  To condense things -  I know Kelly H. (the one I rec’d this from) by her doing volunteer work through me for Guide Dogs of America.  Only met her once when she came to a GDA event with her kids – but very fun-loving and always doing things for others (being jailed to raise funds for charity, creating food baskets for the needy, helping GDA – those are things from my limited knowledge of her).  Now she is passing on this email to help a friend of a friend get out of debt.  In a hope not to lose your interest, I’m going to give you the link to Melanie’s site where you can meet her grandma, learn Melanie’s story, and view her unique photos which she’s selling.  It’s a very creative idea to use her talents (photography).  &lt;a href="http://debt-freeby30.blogspot.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"&gt;http://debt-freeby30.blogspot.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  I’ve ordered several myself that I plan to make into greeting cards.&lt;br /&gt;Mark – I’m sending this to you because several pics are from Coeur d’Alene, she was in the press there &amp;amp; had an event at the Calypsos Coffee Co. Thought that might be of interest.&lt;br /&gt;Happy Tuesday Everyone!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rhonda&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-224228533118964865?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/224228533118964865/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=224228533118964865' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/224228533118964865'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/224228533118964865'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-3rd-degree-of-separation.html' title='The First 3rd Degree of Separation!!!'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-1762789479192331829</id><published>2008-03-16T17:42:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-16T18:18:03.218-07:00</updated><title type='text'>North Idaho College</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;I couldn't believe it when I got a call from &lt;a href="http://philcorlis.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"&gt;Phil Corlis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, the photography instructor from&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.nic.edu/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"&gt;North Idaho College&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, asking me if I would come speak to his class.  Me?  Really, me?  This project has opened and continues to open many fun and interesting doors, and having this very unexpected opportunity to share my project with some fellow photographers was a true honor.  Thanks to each one of them for their attention and encouragement!  Big thanks to Phil for his instant friendship, his honest and sincere belief in me and my work, and for this unique opportunity!  I was so touched when he asked me to bring my prints so that at the end of the class each student could pick one out, ON HIM!  What an inspiration in kindness and generosity!  Here are the heartfelt words Phil emailed me about our connection....&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am always impressed with the power of dreams. Without them we are nothing. With them anything is possible. I discovered your dream in the local newspaper sitting at the breakfast table one morning.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Next -it was a visit to your blog.  As a photographer, teacher, and yes a dreamer I was immediately drawn to the simple elegance of your work and your idea. After reading the story of each image I had a plan. I hoped you would share your dream with my college photography students.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I was sure it could motivate and inspire them. A few phone calls later and we were sitting and chatting in my office and shortly after that - there you were in my classroom spinning out your compelling tale. It was magical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't know what was better - the stories, the "shopping spree" at the end of class with each student picking a photo as their own, or the look on their faces as they thanked you on their way out the door.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For me it was the stories, the photos that are now framed and sitting beside me at home, the inspiration, and a new friend made.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So there's just one thing left and that's to say thanks for the power of your dream.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Phil Corlis&lt;br /&gt;Dreamer, Photographer, Teacher&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-1762789479192331829?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/1762789479192331829/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=1762789479192331829' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/1762789479192331829'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/1762789479192331829'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/03/north-idaho-college.html' title='North Idaho College'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-7676958519351637658</id><published>2008-03-16T13:16:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-16T19:23:33.512-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Santa Barbara Print Show</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;What would a trip back to Santa Barbara be without finding a place to host my &lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:large;"&gt;2nd print show&lt;/span&gt;? It all managed to come together, and I am very happy to report--a huge success, not only in print sales, but in simply being a great time of catching up with friends and their smiles!  Thank you to everyone who came,  and who continues to believe in the passion behind my project! Just thought I would share a few of the images from opening night!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat01.jpg"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;View from the middle of Anacapa Street.  Welcome to Coffee Cat and the project's 2nd print show.  Special thanks to owners Jason and Krista for their support!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;A view from the inside of Coffee Cat and one section of the 120 images that were displayed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat03.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Fellow photographers and dear friends, Joni and Daniel!  We all met because of our connection to Door 9 Studios.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat04.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); "&gt;I loved how the prints looked on the bright, red walls!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat05.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat05.jpg"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Katie and I - she came up from San Diego for the show and much needed girl time!  Katie was the assistant manager at the first Starbucks I worked at in San Diego.  We have been good friends ever since!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat06.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); "&gt;The prints were hung on any and all available wall space!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat07.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat07.jpg"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); "&gt;Mike and Erica - dear friends and supporters!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;The Tisdale Kids - 3 of my favorite faces in Santa Barbara.  These are the wonderful and amazing souls I lived with and part-time nannied for.  Its hard not smiling when they are around!  I adore them!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat09.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Inside Coffee Cat - the sign and the ceiling. Cool place!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat10.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/ccat10.jpg"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;My Girls!  Katie, Carrie, Kelly and I celebrating life at Zaytoons! Wanted to share this image taken the night before the show.  These 3 helped me put the SB show together and hang it on opening day!  I so appreciate each one of them!!  I am blessed with amazing girlfriends!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-7676958519351637658?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/7676958519351637658/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=7676958519351637658' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/7676958519351637658'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/7676958519351637658'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/03/santa-barbara-print-show.html' title='Santa Barbara Print Show'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-1112846564470730889</id><published>2008-02-07T13:28:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-07T13:52:36.432-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Friend - and Her Friend</title><content type='html'>&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style=""&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;1st degree of separation - I am passing along an e-mail sent by my dear friend, Melanie.  I think you will find it a capturing and worthwhile read and her attached photos quite inspiring.  Melanie is inspiring.  We met while working at Starbucks a few years back.  It's amazing how coffee can bring people together!  Those early mornings were a killer, but I loved opening with Melanie.  I left Starbucks after a relatively short period, but we kept in touch as often as our crazy schedules allowed.  I treasure the conversations that she and James and I shared about faith, dreams and life in general.  I love Melanie's honesty, amazing integrity, brilliant creativity and her generous friendship.  I am also so thankful for the many amazing moments of Chloe's life that Melanie captured with her artful eye.  Please read on and make sure you check out her blog as well when you have a chance.  There are several more wonderful photos and stories to see that aren't included in this initial attachment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style=""&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;Melanie, keep your vision set high!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style=""&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;Love, Heather&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;2nd degree of separation:  My friend Heather sent this letter from a person she knows who is trying to make a difference.  Heather, her husband James, and their beautiful daughter Chloe have been part of Josh and my life for over 6 years now.  They are an incredible couple with incredible faith and have always been an inspiration.  We were closer with James while Heather was still up in Oregon plugging away to become a Physician's Assistant.  Once I finally met her after hearing so much about her, I understood why James was so smitten.  Heather is amazingly caring and strong.  She is so much fun to be around and didn't hesitate to join my bachelorette party at Disneyland even though she was pregnant.  I am passing this on for her.  I hope you will take the time to read on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;Thanks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;Tiffany&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-1112846564470730889?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/1112846564470730889/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=1112846564470730889' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/1112846564470730889'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/1112846564470730889'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/02/encouraging-response.html' title='A Friend - and Her Friend'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-9074730947445172090</id><published>2008-02-07T13:18:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-07T13:53:33.960-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The Next Print Show</title><content type='html'>&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be heading back down to Santa Barbara for a short visit!  I am also thrilled to be having my second print show at Coffee Cat thanks to owners Krista and Jason, and my friend Kelly for making the connection.  I'm really looking forward to catching up with old friends and hopefully making some new ones!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/sbshowforblog.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/sbshowforblog.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-9074730947445172090?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/9074730947445172090/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=9074730947445172090' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/9074730947445172090'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/9074730947445172090'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/02/next-print-show.html' title='The Next Print Show'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-5067470164569645776</id><published>2008-02-07T13:05:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-03-16T17:35:08.384-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Google CheckOut!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;After days of figuring out this whole shopping cart thing and uploading html codes to my blog, I am very excited to announce that you can now purchase 4x6 prints directly from my blog page thanks to Google Checkout!!  It's all very easy, just click the ADD button for the print(s) you would like and when you are finished, scroll to the very bottom of any of the blog pages to view your shopping cart, then just click on the Google icon, and bam they will be in the mail shortly after that!  I am very excited about this and look forward to reaching those that don't feel comfortable with sending money through the mail!  It's all about making it easy for you to be a part of this incredible journey!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-5067470164569645776?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/5067470164569645776/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=5067470164569645776' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5067470164569645776'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5067470164569645776'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/02/making-it-even-easier.html' title='Google CheckOut!'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-6380465096392799266</id><published>2008-02-07T12:37:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-10-09T13:12:00.961-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SHOW</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Sorry it has taken me over a week to express my gratitude to everyone who came out to my first print show in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  I suppose one of the reasons is I have already scheduled a second show for this Tuesday while I am down in Santa Barbara visiting friends, and so I have been busy putting that together.  Despite the snowy, cold weather and horrible road conditions, several people came!  Thank you all so much!!  I sold almost 50 prints that night!  The show will remain up until the end of February, so if you weren't able to make it, stop by Calypsos and check it out!  I have never had 120 images of mine up on the wall, so thank you for that first and the really encouraging sight it was!  Here are a few pictures of the show, along with my local family supporters...my sister Jennifer, her husband Jeremy, Jeremy's brother Brent and his wife Sheila!  Oh, and one lovely gift from a faithful Droolin Dog customer...a bottle of local wine creatively adorned with some $2 bills, thanks Lonnie!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/show4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/show3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/show1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/show2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/show6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-6380465096392799266?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/6380465096392799266/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=6380465096392799266' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/6380465096392799266'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/6380465096392799266'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/02/successful-first-show.html' title='A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SHOW'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-775451178465094762</id><published>2008-01-26T11:53:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-01T22:02:45.890-08:00</updated><title type='text'>First Newspaper Article! - Coeur d'Alene Press</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lyzDqPcX33c/R6QHQMvyvcI/AAAAAAAAABo/WkHyeF0pmug/s1600-h/newspaper1.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lyzDqPcX33c/R6QHQMvyvcI/AAAAAAAAABo/WkHyeF0pmug/s400/newspaper1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162259047754415554" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:x-large;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);"&gt;Exciting News!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;  Check out the recent article from the &lt;a href="http://cdapress.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Coeur d'Alene Press&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; newspaper!  Perfect timing for my first print show on Monday night!  I am so appreciative for the attention and local support!  Special thanks to Sean Garmire - CDA Press Staff Writer and &lt;a href="http://jeromepollos.com/main.php"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Jerome A Pollos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; - CDA Press Photographer!  Also the connection wouldn't have been made if Michell, owner of &lt;a href="http://calypsoscoffee.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Calypsos Coffee Co.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; wouldn't have shared my project, so thanks to her as well!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style=""&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2008/01/26/news/news05.txt"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Click here for full article!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-775451178465094762?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/775451178465094762/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=775451178465094762' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/775451178465094762'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/775451178465094762'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/01/first-newspaper-article-coeur-dalene.html' title='First Newspaper Article! - Coeur d&apos;Alene Press'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lyzDqPcX33c/R6QHQMvyvcI/AAAAAAAAABo/WkHyeF0pmug/s72-c/newspaper1.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-8706541909059997423</id><published>2008-01-23T16:23:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-01-23T16:32:52.879-08:00</updated><title type='text'>First DEBT FREE Print Show!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Cheers to Calypsos Coffee Company in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for their support of my project and excitement towards hosting my first "Debt Free" print show!  Come One - Come All!  I am really looking forward to the optimistic energy and opportunity to share my story and my work!  Check in soon for the results and some snapshots from the event!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/belowemptyweb.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/melaniebess/belowemptyweb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-8706541909059997423?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/8706541909059997423/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=8706541909059997423' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/8706541909059997423'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/8706541909059997423'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2008/01/first-debt-free-print-show.html' title='First DEBT FREE Print Show!!'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-49378279253635778</id><published>2007-12-06T06:09:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-06T19:15:01.910-08:00</updated><title type='text'>We Share Birthdays!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Last night, I got my very first comment on this blog page, and I have to tell you that I was so excited...for a few reasons.  1. The comment is from a perfect stranger, who saw my project posted on another photographer's blog page...and even he is someone I have never met before, but who just stumbled across my page, and was moved to share it with others (Thank You!)  2. Well, you will see what John has to say below, as I have reposted his comment...we share something besides both being photographers... 3. All of this is so exciting and yet another reason this project is so fun, the diversity of our connections tell their own, separate story!  Thank you to these fellow photographers for their support and encouragement!!  I have linked their blog pages... Check Them Out!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;Hi, my name is John Shields and I live in Clinton Township, MI (suburb of Detroit).  I just came across your blog for the first time today, by way of J Sandifer's Blog (&lt;a href="http://jbrides.wordpress.com/"&gt;jbridges.wordpress.com&lt;/a&gt;).  I was looking / admiring your images, and then I started reading the story on the side bar.  For some reason, it didn't click at the beginning of your story but the very end.  You share a birthday with a few people I know.  Me, my twin brother, and my Dad.  Well anyways, I thought I'd leave a comment and wish you the best of luck.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;I hope to purchase a few prints as well, just have to sit down with some time and look at them all (instead of racing through them on my lunch break at work).  Best of luck.  And I'll be forwarding your blog to a few people as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;P.S.  While I don't have any type of formal photography training I pretend to take pictures too, my blog is &lt;a href="http://jshie234.blogspot.com/"&gt;www.jshie234.blogspot.com&lt;/a&gt;.  I learned everything I know from my Dad, his blog is &lt;a href="http://jimshieldsphoto.blogspot.com/"&gt;www.jimshieldsphoto.blogspot.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"&gt;Maybe there is something about that day that turns people into photographers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-49378279253635778?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/49378279253635778/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=49378279253635778' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/49378279253635778'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/49378279253635778'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-share-birthdays.html' title='We Share Birthdays!'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-924884074000547531</id><published>2007-12-03T13:57:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-03T15:41:45.484-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Cousin's Poetry</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;I was very touched to find out that one of my first cousins, Rene', had been inspired to write the two following poems after seeing Image #1 - Gram's Hands.  Rene's father is our Gram's eldest child.  Rene's mother made sure I knew how touched she was not only by her daughter's writing, but also that Rene' wrote these poems on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;her&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt; mother's birthday, November 19th, 2007.  Thank you Rene'!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" &gt;Gram’s Hands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Weathered hands&lt;br /&gt;Brought to life&lt;br /&gt;Holding springs&lt;br /&gt;Little delights&lt;br /&gt;Colorful blooms&lt;br /&gt;Standing bright&lt;br /&gt;Brought energy&lt;br /&gt;To the wrinkles of life&lt;br /&gt;Each with a story&lt;br /&gt;Each with a line&lt;br /&gt;Telling you things&lt;br /&gt;Of this aging rhyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--Rene’ Miller&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" &gt;Flowers holding Gram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Spring with its blossoms&lt;br /&gt;All bright and new&lt;br /&gt;Being held in hands&lt;br /&gt;All wrinkled and used&lt;br /&gt;What’s the story?&lt;br /&gt;Where’s the life?&lt;br /&gt;Who’s to care for&lt;br /&gt;This glorious sight?&lt;br /&gt;Water the soul&lt;br /&gt;Feed the life&lt;br /&gt;There’s a story amongst&lt;br /&gt;The strife&lt;br /&gt;Listen closely and you’ll hear&lt;br /&gt;Youth fading away into life…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--Rene' Miller&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-924884074000547531?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/924884074000547531/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=924884074000547531' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/924884074000547531'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/924884074000547531'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/12/cousins-poetry.html' title='A Cousin&apos;s Poetry'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-7497779226025249224</id><published>2007-12-01T08:58:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-03T14:43:15.491-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Artist to Artist</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"&gt;Of the many wonderful things that have happened since starting this project, my connection to M.E. Dunlap, thanks to my sister DaNel, ranks high on the list.  We have sent several emails back and forth, and I also stopped off in Eugene on my way back up from being in Applegate for Thanksgiving, so we could meet and chat about our possible, now probable, collaboration of arts. I had forgotten that we had briefly met once before a couple years back.  M.E. is very inspiring both as a person, and an artist, and she has offered an enormous amount of encouragement to me.  I just wanted to share some of her encouraging words and wonderful insights... these are snippets from her emails and letters..............................&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---2nd Degree of Separation- How do I know DaNel?... Well we met while in a teaching program in Ashland Oregon but I think that the moment that I truly got to know DaNel was when I made a silly comment about giving her a gold star in a computer class we were both in... Probably not the smartest thing I have ever done but it WAS funny and things evened out.  From that point on, I have watched DaNel grow as a fabulous teacher and a true friend. But first and foremost she has always been dedicated to her family. She always spoke fondly of the time she spent at the Applegate ranch and is always excited to be going back for a visit. If you are lucky enough to have DaNel in your cheering section you are sure to get to where you need to be. And there is no doubt that DaNel is Melanie's #1 fan for this project not to mention life in general. To Melanie, there is no doubt that this project will be a success and that you will reach your goals. I am always glad to participate in a great art game... and this is a great one!---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(From DaNel)---My friend M.E. sent this back to me in response to a comment I made about some people not agreeing with your choices and the amount of debt you have. I love her response and thought you would too.---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---DaNel,&lt;br /&gt;First of all regardless of what others say, this is a great art project and Melanie has every right to take it on... and I should know because I bought a piece of paper for $60,000.00 that says I have a BFA. Oh, AND a MAT... you can decide what the letters mean but to me it was worth every penny even though I am going on my third year of uncertain (un)employment. To those who find Melanie irresponsible, they have either been given things monetarily and not had to find their own way or they don't believe enough in themselves to take the chance and educate themselves, OR perhaps they do not have a drive within them that tells them to be true to their passion regardless of what others think. What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular!---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---"How would people react to a project such as this proposed by a 30 year old man with a degree in architecture selling prints of his building designs in an effort to pay off his college loan debt?"---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---What a fantastic art/life project.  I am quite interested in art that addresses “things we don’t talk about.”---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---I too understand your dark cloud as I am also in financial aid debt… without a steady job and I am also working on an art related project that is in the prototype stage as of now.  I figured if I participate in your project, I may collect a few good Karma points for later on.  Anyway, great project, you will be successful!---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---p.s.  I love the idea of sending real money in the mail for several reasons…mostly because they say NEVER TO DO IT!---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---I want you to know that your project came along at the perfect time for me. And you may not realize it, but it has helped me out so very much! I needed to be reminded that I am not alone on this artistic path that I have chosen and that in fact, I am on the right path for me. It has rarely been easy for me (and I am sure many could say the same) but it has all been worth it for what my spirit has gained. And finally, it is so wonderful to see your family supporting you, not all of us have this, but it gives me a boost of hope. I am sure I do not have to tell you that this is a great gift.---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---Thank you for taking the chance and putting yourself out there... I am sure your project has started conversations, opened minds, and sparked imaginations... We never know when someone may be affected by our actions.---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---Just want to send you a quick note while a few things are on my mind. First of all, thanks so much for stopping by, sharing your artistic ideas and a bit of your story. Many things both artistically and personally became so much clearer to me. Like the choices I have made no matter how difficult, for the most part were right for me regardless of what others thought or wanted. And, as for my artwork, if you can do it, so can I. It is time for me to truly believe in myself, and my art and do everything I can to get it out there and after talking with you and seeing things from your perspective, I can see my work in a marketable way for the first time... What a gift! Thank you so much, you rock!---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---By the way, you are one of the most easy to be around people that I have ever met.  I admire your strength, your opinions, and tenacity.  They are contagious and wonderful. I completely lost track of time as we were talking as I rarely have the chance to talk with someone with an artistic way of seeing things.---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---I am grateful for this connection as well and the spark of energy it has given me. And I appreciate you believing in my work enough to want to collaborate with me, thanks... OK, have a great week, I will talk to you soon.---&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;M.E. Dunlap - 2nd Degree&lt;br /&gt;Eugene, Oregon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-7497779226025249224?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/7497779226025249224/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=7497779226025249224' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/7497779226025249224'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/7497779226025249224'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/12/artist-to-artist.html' title='Artist to Artist'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-5384849736997906253</id><published>2007-11-18T17:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-01T06:50:26.444-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Coffee and Weddings</title><content type='html'>Hi Friends,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In this email you'll see a beautiful and inspiration letter written by my girlfriend, Melanie -- many of you may know her from our wedding and the incredible job she did photographing and designing our invitations and programs. Melanie is embarking on an admirable journey over the next year to eliminate her personal debt by providing beautiful, low cost prints of many of her beloved photographs. Please read on for her explanation of her project and how you may choose to participate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I first met Melanie when we worked together at Starbucks in Santa Barbara. We began working there within two weeks of each other; with our matching Starbucks uniforms and our long, blonde hair pulled back in ponytails many customers mistook one of us for the other. We got a kick out of that, and quickly formed a connection. We worked together for two years, but it wasn't until I quit the store that our friendship really began to develop, and it wasn't until the year she spent by my side helping me brainstorm and plan many elements of my wedding that I began to think of her as one of my very best friends.&lt;br /&gt;Not only did we wile away the hours hand-making wedding invitations, addressing envelopes, editing photographs and working with color, layout and design, we made time for happy hours and dinner out and coffees downtown. We shared many a good bottle of wine and for awhile were each other's frequent date to the movies. When Will and I moved it was Melanie who packed boxes until well past midnight and then appeared on our doorstep before sunrise the next morning -- coffees in hand -- ready to help unload the U-haul truck. Melanie is one of the most selfless, giving, inspirational and talented people I've ever had the privilege to know, and her friendship means so much to me. I love her dearly... and wish her all the luck in the world with this admirable project.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kelly Sweda - 1st Degree&lt;br /&gt;Santa Barbara, CA&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-5384849736997906253?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/5384849736997906253/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=5384849736997906253' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5384849736997906253'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5384849736997906253'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/11/coffee-and-weddings.html' title='Coffee and Weddings'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-6368051667515820476</id><published>2007-11-18T16:56:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-03T14:46:46.014-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Best Friend's Response</title><content type='html'>Melanie Bess..............&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;WOW!!&lt;/span&gt;  and if I had a larger font option I would make that bigger!!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;I have to say that for the first time I am speechless, but at the same time filled with so many emotions that the only way I can share them with you is written over an email!!!  I absolutely had chills dancing over my body while reading every word of your email.  It put a smile on my face adrenaline in my veins and tears in my eyes.   I can say I am humbled and proud to be your best friend; reminded again of what an amazing and strong person you are (not only benefiting yourself but effecting thousands of others that surround you) and how fortunate I am to be apart of your life; dedicated to helping you achieve your goal and I have to admit saddened because I can hear your desperate plea for financial help and know the weight it bears as I have felt that same hopelessness.  This is a truly brilliant idea....and you have far surpassed what I was expecting (although in true Melanie fashion I am not surprised)!!!!  You have created a movement...one that will cross over the nation and world....one that will without a doubt touch the lives of people everywhere and will be more rewarding than paying off every dollar of the 150,000 necessary to pay off your debt....not to mention a possible book deal with the numerous stories you will receive.  You are an inspiration...and the hope that enables everyone who reads your message and the others that will contribute to it will fuel their desire to know they can succeed in any dream imaginable!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(and this is what I was feeling before even opening up the images)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Each image chosen stands strong and creates a statement similar to each carefully chosen word in your email.  Some of the images I already know the story and some I am anxiously awaiting the bio as the picture really does speak a thousand words!!!!  I am eagerly awaiting the progress of "Debt Free by 30" and can say confidently that my best friend will be, without a doubt DEBT FREE BY 30!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have the chills again and can relate to the feeling you must have been experiencing while trying to write down your ideas while going 80 on an open road with nothing but endless opportunities!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am so very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Allison Birkmeyer - 1st Degree&lt;br /&gt;San Diego, CA&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-6368051667515820476?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/6368051667515820476/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=6368051667515820476' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/6368051667515820476'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/6368051667515820476'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/11/best-friends-response.html' title='A Best Friend&apos;s Response'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-7000398341945359346</id><published>2007-11-05T21:53:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-03T14:30:26.259-08:00</updated><title type='text'>2nd Degree</title><content type='html'>Date:  November 3rd, 2007&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I just wrote back to DaNel and now to you.  And then to my daughter.... a photographer with her MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago.... another fine school educating special folks like you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am 99.9999999999 % sure we met while you were in Tucson visiting your sister.... if not, I feel like I have met you.  One thing for sure, your photography is not new to me.  DaNel shared with pride your website.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I wish you the very best in this adventure in life.  I have my favorites picked out and I am ready to join your team -- and watch it work all year.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If I may be so bold to say.... I love DaNel and now you.... I am positive your Mom and Dad are so very special.  May life always shine! May the stars be in your site forever.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Off to the stars I go on this beautiful night.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The next shooting star... a wish for Debt Free by 30.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Caryl Jones, DaNel's friend. - 2nd Degree&lt;br /&gt;Tucson, AZ&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-7000398341945359346?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/7000398341945359346/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=7000398341945359346' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/7000398341945359346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/7000398341945359346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/11/2nd-degree.html' title='2nd Degree'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-5749109099021844882</id><published>2007-11-05T21:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-11-18T17:10:56.141-08:00</updated><title type='text'>First Email</title><content type='html'>Date:  October 28th, 2007&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1st degree of separation - Let me start by saying that Melanie Bess is my sister. I am so excited for her and this project. It has been fun to watch Melanie grow as a photographer and chase down her dreams whether it was leaving home, traveling the world, or going to photography school to pursue her dream career. Too many times we let obstacles get in the way of our dreams and Melanie is not one to let that stop her. I hope that you will find her story as inspiring as her work. I have, of course, ordered one of each print. Each one speaks volumes - again the old adage - a picture is worth a thousand words. Some of the 30 images are places I recognize, all are gorgeous compositions, some are new images I haven't seen before but touch me just the same. I have always been envious of the artist talent and eye that Melanie possesses. My hope for each of you that I send this to is that you will be touched and inspired by one or more of the images, that you will be motivated by a story of dream chasing, and that you will participate in what could be a life changing project and a fantastic testament of human connection. I will say no more as I want you to get to the good stuff. Please read on and read all of what is to follow! I guarantee that it is worth it! Best of luck Melanie! I believe in you as always!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;DaNel Huggins - 1st Degree&lt;br /&gt;Meridian, Idaho&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-5749109099021844882?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/5749109099021844882/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=5749109099021844882' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5749109099021844882'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/5749109099021844882'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/11/first-email.html' title='First Email'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747545546973341727.post-8802270854179627056</id><published>2007-11-05T21:34:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-03T14:41:46.984-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The First 30</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lyzDqPcX33c/Ry_9kz7tNGI/AAAAAAAAABY/HUWAp4Bs4jM/s1600-h/2billbouquet.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lyzDqPcX33c/Ry_9kz7tNGI/AAAAAAAAABY/HUWAp4Bs4jM/s400/2billbouquet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129597309456036962" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);font-size:100%;" &gt;This was the beautiful bouquet I received for the first prints sold on the first day. My sister Jennifer surprised me with this very precious display of 30, $2 bills! Thank you Jenn &amp;amp; Jeremy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6747545546973341727-8802270854179627056?l=dfbt-updates.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/feeds/8802270854179627056/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6747545546973341727&amp;postID=8802270854179627056' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/8802270854179627056'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6747545546973341727/posts/default/8802270854179627056'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://dfbt-updates.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post_05.html' title='The First 30'/><author><name>Melanie Bess Hogan</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16154785109285401482</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lyzDqPcX33c/Ry_9kz7tNGI/AAAAAAAAABY/HUWAp4Bs4jM/s72-c/2billbouquet.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
