The Poor Man's Travel Sound Machine- The Radio

I can't sleep without a sound machine (or some form of soothing noise) at home, and even more so while traveling. Staying in motels with all the ambient sounds- paper thin walls with noisy neighbors going to bed late and waking up early- doesn't make for a very restful night's sleep, so having a travel sound machine is of the utmost importance. One that doesn't take up a huge chunk of your suitcase. Unfortunately, it's hard to find travel sized ones anymore unless you shop online.

I remember flying to Los Angeles for a visit a while back, and the one I brought with me stopped working. Well, it sort of worked with batteries, but then it would just shut off in the middle of the night, which of course would wake me up. While in L.A., I needed to take a 2-night trip up to the Sacramento area and none of the shops in L.A. had any travel sized ones. I had purchased mine many, many moons ago at a Brookstone's when they were still located in your local mall. I started to fret big time until I remembered that before I invested in sound machines I used a fan to mask noise, but A/C units in motels usually shut on and off, so that was not an option. I then remembered a friend telling me eons ago to set the TV to an off station for the white sound, but televisions these days don't allow for that. Then I recalled the time I forgot my machine, and in a moment of inspiration decided to use the motel's radio as a substitute. I set it between stations and voila... something that sounds a little like "white sound" which happens to be my sound of choice. So that's it. The poor man's sound machine. Useful in a pinch.

I also use my iPad to listen to solfeggio, binaural or isochronic videos on YouTube to help me fall and stay asleep, but you need an Internet connection for that, and depending on where you are traveling, the connection can be a major issue. On my latest trip to Spain, I was so glad that I also brought my travel sound machine with batteries. Remember, if you bring something like a sound machine abroad you will need a travel voltage converter. Learned that lesson the hard way when my sound machine blew after I plugged it into a hotel In Ireland.

Fun Places To Stay- Watch The Northern Lights From Glass Igloos At Finnish Resort

I've decided to use this blog for both my love of photography and travel since they are both inextricably linked. I will start adding blog posts from my travels around the country and world, including tips. I hope you enjoy the addition.

I will start with this amazing hotel that I have not stayed at, but perhaps someday.

I love the snow. Maybe that's because I've lived in South Florida for the past 20 plus years where it never does, and where we're unlucky enough to pull out a light sweater maybe 5 days per winter season. So when I saw this article on Buzzfeed about a resort in Finland that has glass igloos allowing visitors a unique opportunity to experience the incredible northern lights, I've added it to my dream bucket list. The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in SAARISELKÄ, Finland, not only has the glass igloos, they've got more traditional cabins, a few houses and snow igloos, which would not be my idea of comfort. But those glass igloos. Yum.

Here's a description from their website:

Glass igloo provides an one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars of the crystal clear sky in a comfortable room temperature. Built from a special thermal glass the temperature inside the igloo always stays a normal level. It also prevents the glass from not getting white frosted, hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C. Every igloo is equipped with a toilet and luxury beds.

I can dream.

Years ago my parents, sis and I took a family vacation to Scandinavia for one of their wedding anniversaries. We visited Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, but never made it to Finland. Maybe this will be an incentive to travel there.

For more photos click here.

Note:  This post does not contain affiliate links.

My Latest Acting Project- In Sanity, FL Web Series Trailer

Can't believe it's been so long since I posted anything here. Sometimes life just gets in the way. I do have a good excuse, though-  I've been busy caregiving my mother, trying to hustle up some acting work when I can, and editing and trying to get my photos sold to pay those mounting bills. It has been all-consuming, with not much time to sit down and blog. Never a dull moment when you are living life for two, but here I am.  Will try to post a little more often.

So here's my latest news.  Although I can't really commit to anything long term, or work out of town so the theatre work has dried up-  I was blessed to get some film and dubbing work last year. I dubbed a fun Spanish Telenovela into English, along with a movie from Spain and one from Denmark both of which are on Netflix.  I also had a cool part in a horror film called 'Devil's Tree: Rooted in Evil, and shot a web series titled In Sanity, FL.  In Sanity Florida is a quirky story about a young girl and the wacky inhabitants of a small town in, you guessed it, Florida.  I star in the series as the grandmum of the lead, Emma. We shot in Yesteryear Village in West Palm Beach and we've just released the trailer.  And if you look closely, you'll see Burt Reynolds who has a fun part playing himself.

Hope you enjoy. Let me know what y'all think.  The producers are hoping to pitch this somehwere.




Let me know what ya'll think.

Happy Holidays From Jess Peterson Photography

It's that time of the year, so thought I would share this cute Sainsbury's Christmas commercial. Sainsbury's is a popular grocery store in England, for those who might not know.

The season is all about sharing and caring, and this Sainsbury's ad cleverly uses Mog the cat to make that point.

A little background on Mog and the advertisement. Using live action and animation it will have you tearing at the end.  At least it had me.

This year, we worked in partnership with HarperCollins Children's Books and world renowned author and illustrator Judith Kerr to create a Christmas story based on her much loved character Mog. We hope that families will come together this Christmas to enjoy this very special story #ChristmasIsForSharing

If you enjoyed the story, you can buy the beautifully illustrated book here: http://bit.ly/Mogs-Christmas-Calamity

Every penny of the profit from sales of the book will be donated to Save the Children to be used towards improving child literacy in the UK

Take a look behind the scenes of our 2015 Christmas advert: https://youtu.be/_TKU7U6jkY8

Cornell Museum Art Trunk Show- Delray Beach 11/27 through 11/29

Am going to be showing some of my unique framed art pieces, jewelry and photography at the Cornell Museum Black Friday November 27 through November 29th.

There will be a lot of other artists there so come by if you are in southeast Florida.  The museum is located in the Old School Square in quaint Delray Beach, Florida.

Come by and get a special gift with purchase if you mention you saw this on Blogger.  We will be there from 10 a.m. to 4:30 each day.

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Many Blessings to you and yours.

Tweet-The Series - The Web Series I was Just Cast In Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

So, in my other life I'm a professional union actress. It's actually my main career. Over the years I've been blessed to have been cast in many wonderful theatre projects all over the country, have had some commercial and industrial film work, some TV/Film work, audiobook narration and dubbing work, and now I can add Web Series to my credits.

I was just cast as Principal Potter-Lane in Season 2 of  "Tweet- The Series".  My character is the frazzled principal in the school where the lead of the series, young actress Taylor Blackwell, attends.  It's a teen paranormal webseries, that has actually cast teens. Not something very common in Hollywood-since teen characters are more often than not cast with adult actors in their 20s.  The filmmakers wanted to change that.  They also want to make sure that more women get work both in front of and behind the camera. In fact, when the casting call went out, they auditioned both males and females for Potter-Lane.  They obviously went female.  Thank goodness.

The series is a wonderfully quirky show about a young teen and her possessed IPhone. Yes, there is some humor.

The production company See-Worthy films has just launched an IndieGoGo campaign. Even low budget projects need money for essential things, like equipment, rental of locations, wardrobe, makeup, food and if we reach our goal, since this is a union SAG/AFTRA deferred pay project, the actors will actually get paid upfront. Any amount will help.

And if not, just join us on the journey.

Catch up on Season 1, on YouTube.  You won't regret it.  And look out for me in 3 episodes of Season 2, coming this Fall.