Pied Life

Skateland!!!

2011-11-06T13:30:00.001-05:00

Photos taken by my friend Lawrence with the PEN camera!!!

Bad Friend, Great Wedding!

2011-10-26T10:12:00.001-04:00

I've been a bad friend, and a bad little photographer.... It's been over two months since the most fabulous wedding, and I am just now posting the pics!!! Libby- you totally inspired me to get in gear!

Katie and Matt.... where to even begin? Katie's fam and I are tight, it's true. However, this day was filled with such true love and emotion that even the heaviest of rains couldn't dampen our spirits! It's weddings like this- where you can SEE how much people love each other and how their souls work in tandem, that makes me tilt my head back to the stars and admire their alignment to make such beauty happen in the world. K & M, a toast to you both, for such a tender and true love...

Olympus EPL-1 FUN!!!

2011-10-24T17:04:00.002-04:00

So the kind folks at Olympus donated 25 EPL-1 micro 4/3 cameras to us at Visionworkshops.org to replace the DSLRs we lend our students during photography workshops. I had the great pleasure of taking one for a test drive (er.... all summer,) so that I'd be able to update the Tech Manual and explore new teaching possibilities with this super amazing tool!

For starters, I was immediately in love with how it felt to hold this little guy. I've been shooting Nikon for years, primarily because they fit my hands so well. Despite the size, the EPL-1 feels sturdy and also had an extremely satisfying shutter actuation. I don't know why that sensation triggers "quality photo" in my mind, but there is no lag, no whimpy little digital buzz that says, "your mediocre photo has been captured!" Its just a solid click that you can feel in your finger tip, makes you think "mission accomplished" not, "crap, did I miss that?"

Road Trip

Super amazing "Vintage" Mode! Great vignetting without being cheesey.

Tilt Shift Mode looks cool too.

Impressive performance even at night.

Images Featured in Delicate | Gestalten

2011-09-12T08:51:00.000-04:00

Images from the Sweet Dreams project at Inzozi Nziza, Rwanda will be in this book exploring New Food Culture!

Delicate | Gestalten:

'via Blog this'

Rwandan Dreamers

2011-09-06T10:32:00.002-04:00

Each day I would go back to my host Kiki's home and share with her my musings. Kiki, a poet, playwright, performer, and entrepreneur, would graciously be my sounding board as I tried to uncover how I fit into this beautifully laid out puzzle. From the moment I made the conscious decision to come to Rwanda, things had fallen into place and a yellow brick road paved itself before me. Making the best possible use of my time was weighing heavily. I shared with her my thoughts about people that have the freedom to dream, be it creative freedom, physical freedom, etc. I wondered aloud if the Rwandan/African public education systems or post-colonial cultures encouraged creative thinking, conceptual thinking, or imagination, knowing what her response would be. I wanted to wrap my head around the idea that perhaps African people, as she phrased it, ".. are engrained with the idea to erase and destroy," because they, largely, are never given the freedom to dream. These images are just of my surroundings, photo-sketch book entries.

As I listened to Kiki's response, her experience returning to Rwanda as a refugee in Congo, her time at the University, and her passion for the arts and the power of creative story-telling, the bigger picture began to reveal itself. She shared with me that she was trying to put together a nationally recognized group of Rwandan Professional Dreamers, and I knew I had found the story.

People that dare to dream of a better Africa; a more positive, peaceful, inspired Africa. Rwanda seemed to be the perfect nucleus for such co-conspirators, so I shifted my questions and conversations with people to that of dreams and positive change. Who were people that symbolized such things in Rwanda? In other parts of Africa? What were those people doing and why was it important to them? I had only begun to scratch the surface when my 10 days were up, but I'm compelled to continue, and returning in December to paint a larger portrait of these Rwandan Dreamers. These portraits below, I made of Kiki and her beautiful family; Moise, Aurore, and Kesha, as thanks for becoming such dear and inspiring, now life-long, friends. I am both deeply honored and ridiculously ecstatic to continue to work with her when I return in a few months- stay tuned!

Bread and Milk Money

2011-09-05T14:34:00.001-04:00

Visiting some of the women from Inzozi Nziza in their homes afforded a really interesting perspective of working Rwandans. Leocadie, I had initially thought was much younger than I. Turns out, she's my own age, is married with two kids, and works two full time jobs. When she comes home from working at Inzozi Nziza, she ties on an apron and begins bagging orders of bread produced in her husband's bakery in the back of their house. I was fortunate to have come just as an eggy sweet bread came out of the oven. Served with honey and milk, it was such a comforting treat!

What I found to be really fascinating was that when I asked some of the women and their families, what they dream about for their lives or livelihood, if they could do anything in the world, they struggled to respond. Many responses were just to maintain the status quo, stay employed, happy, and healthy. When prodded a bit to dream of anything at all, if anything was possible, their expression changed. It was if no one had invited or encouraged them to dream limitlessly.

This family hopes to run a cake bakery some day in Butare with other family members, selling to the market
and even Inzozi Nziza.

Labor Day - Rwanda

2011-09-05T12:59:00.003-04:00

The best stories from the Rwanda experience, was of course spending time with people in their element. My friend Virgile, the student and avid traditional dancer, invited me to a Labor Day performance that his troupe was giving a group of government officials and guests. At high noon, the light was incredibly harsh against dark skin tones, so I opted to close down the shutter a bit more than my normal uber-shallow style, and crank up the shutter speed a bit to really capitalize on the robustness of the humungous white clouds in the brilliant blue sky overhead, while adding a sense of drama with the moodiness that this choice produced. It also, in my mind, lends itself to the sort of subtle undercurrent that you feel here. While Rwanda seems stable on the surface, having a small footprint amidst a largely unstable continent makes an outsider feel slightly uncertain if the looming darkness could retake this lovely place once more.

Inzozi Nziza - continued..

2011-09-05T12:16:00.001-04:00

Blogging about Rwanda has turned into this incredibly difficult task and I'm not quite sure why.. I could venture to guess, but really what's the point of musing about the root cause, it only delays me further from actually sitting down and just writing! I'm so grossly delinquent in sharing the full story with you all that it's incredibly embarrassing, but better late than never, so here goes...

When we last left off, I had just arrived in Butare with a distinct vision of the portraits I had wanted to create at Inzozi Nziza, only to find that that particular vision didn't actually exist. When I first learned of the shop, I immediately envisioned Chadians eating ice cream, because that was my only first-hand visual reference of Africa. But Chadians are not Rwandans, and Butare was certainly not N'Djamena. Butare is a thriving University town, the intellectual capital of Rwanda. The patrons of Inzozi Nziza were primarily students; plugged into global trends much like any other western university student. I had to recalibrate my thinking and after completing the images for Gestalten Publishing's EAT EAT, I spent a couple of days soaking it all in. I started recording interesting sights and sounds, talking to EVERYONE, going to their homes, learning Kinyarwandan (poorly,) and writing a ton trying to pick out a thread and discover what the story was, what my purpose there was. Then I began shooting- portraits of patrons, portraits of the amazing women who worked at Inzozi Nziza and their families at home, portraits of the women drummers who the shop was started for.... by the end of day 6, I was sitting on a mountain of images, with a novel full of stories swimming through my head...

Virgile, a Literature major who also performs in the University's traditional dance troupe.

The women at Inzozi Nziza make up an impromptu theme song for the shop.

At home with Inzozi Nziza's assistant manager, Marie Louise- a young single mother who lives nearby with her brother and his wife and daughters (pictured right.)

Kid's Day at Inzozi Nziza gave free ice cream to nearly 30 local children with donations
made by staff and patrons.

These local girls brought all of their siblings to the ice cream shop early for Kid's Day and waited on the front steps
for the doors to open.

This young girl recognizes some of the women in the wall photo of the women's drumming circle that cooperatively
runs and owns Inzozi Nziza.

O Boy!

2011-09-05T11:27:00.001-04:00

I couldn't help myself, I'm a sucker for puns... O Boy! This image is in the August issue of O Magazine, a small blurb highlighting the wonderful efforts of the ladies at Blue Marble- Jennie Dundas and Alexis Meisen.

Anete and Ruth, first-year students at the University, enjoy a Rwandan
Black Tea flavored ice cream and giggle with each other during a
study break from their pending exams.

I AM BIG ... and you are so small...

2011-08-30T17:29:00.000-04:00

I could not believe this preying mantis on the steps of the National Archives last week. Furthermore, was dually surprised with how well the EPL-1 captured it! Loving the vintage mode.... just the right amount of vignette.

I AM BIG

and you are so small

"Put 'em up pal!"

No, let's shake and be friends....

EPL-1 Obsession!

2011-08-24T17:21:00.001-04:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this camera! I can't stop!

Baltimore's National Aquarium- so many reflective surfaces!!!!

Sunset at Loch Raven Resevoir

Basmah from Kuwait in Santa Barbara.

Small Niceties

2011-05-27T12:46:00.005-04:00

My apartment overlooks a busy thoroughfare in the city, flanked by the amazing Greenmount Cemetary, where Edgar Allen Poe is buried, and the best thrift store in town- mainly because there's a hot dog stand outside of it every day.

Right now, a man is hurrying across the street with a toddler and an extremely tiny dog in tow... both of their little legs moving at five times the pace on either side of his longer stride. It reminds me of how, when beg something new, we scurry around with short little legs trying to figure everything out and find our stride. When the latter is found, our gait lengthens, gains purpose, and the energy with which we carry ourselves gains momentum- opening up new possibilites.

My first few days at Inzozi Nziza, I was scurrying on short legs indeed. Having a deadline to get images to a German publishing company for a blurb on the shop in an upcoming book about, among other things, our social relationship to food, the artistry and economic implications of that in relation to this new back to basics, farm to table, diy movement... with this looming, I had to hit the ground running. Many of you have seen these already on Facebook, but bear with me, there's a linear story here...

One of the youngest women to work there, Julienne is engaged
to be married in August.

Julienne and the other women at Inzozi Nziza pride themselves on
great customer care.

Soft serve ice cream made from scratch.

A Wonderful Whirlwind...

2011-05-27T11:51:00.001-04:00

Wow, the whirlwind continues...

I've been back from Rwanda for nearly three weeks now and in that time I've coordinated the logistics for a National Geographic Photo Camp on Smith Island, that we just returned from on Sunday (more on that later.) I just zipped up to Brooklyn, NY this week for an AIGA/NY event that Jennie and Alexis from Blue Marble spoke about branding and how design has played a role in their larger vision, they featured some of the images from Sweet Dreams and it was good to connect with those amazing ladies stateside!

Director Rob Fruchtman, from Thunderfull Films, was also there to show a trailer on his upcoming documentary about Inzozi Nziza, that nearly brought me to complete tears of joy! AND there's a possibility some of the images from Sweet Dreams may be used in an O Magazine blurb about Sweet Dreams/Blue Marble.. crossing my fingers, hopefully I didn't just jinx myself by telling you all! Check out the trailer:

Sweet Dreams - trailer from Thunderfull Films on Vimeo.

While watching this at the event on Tuesday and seeing the Blue Marble gals up on stage sharing the story of how all of this came to be, I couldn't help but think about how amazing it is to be a part of all of this. I wanted to jump up and down in my seat and run around with excitement that the reality that I've built around me is so flipping amazing and fun right now, and that it's making a huge positive impact on other people's lives. R A D....

A Sweet Dream Indeed ...

2011-05-23T11:23:00.000-04:00

Where to even begin… it all feels so unreal, like a dream, a sweet dream… that sitting now in my favorite coffee shop in Baltimore, looking back, I giggle to myself at the complex web of people, experiences, sights, and sounds that now weave the fabric of my life remembered.

What a funny thing, memory. What we chose to cling to, the small bits of our past that we adhere to our present state of mind while it shapes our future. I think about this often… I wish to liken my memory to that of a dog's. They say a dog only remembers the last 7 minutes, so it doesn't matter how long you are away from the house, it still feels like the same amount of time to them. But how would that explain when the dog gets excited about hearing your car coming down the road as opposed to your neighbors?

All beings actively select what they choose to remember and what feelings are associated with those bits of information. No matter how many new experiences I cram into my memory, I'm still like a paper doll with an array of personas; built from experiences, that are ready to be loosely attached to my figure before that next gust of wind picks me up and sweeps me away somewhere else.

This is Me before Rwanda:

Hard at work organizing photography workshops for kids
out of a small studio in Annapolis.

Assisting on Men's Underwear shoots for Under Armour.
Actually, that's Steve, the Producer.

Drawing diagrams for how to hang skateboards over
the door in my tiny apartment.

Shallacking giant darts, hand-made by John Shea,
for a sculpture show.

Cue chance meeting with Jennie Dundas. This sparked the idea for going to Rwanda to begin with (scroll down to Sweet Dreams blog post for back story.) I just finished sending an email to all of the donors for this project 'o mine, and I think I summed it up best there, so I will quote myself.
What I thought would just be a 10 day stab at a photo project, has now turned into a life-long relationship with a country and it's peoples, by which I was continuously humbled and grateful for. Life has taught me one sure thing up to this point. 90% of your plans go out the window when you arrive somewhere- or maybe that's just my ridiculous life! Either way, that was partially true for this project. I went with a vision from my experience in Chad and arrived to a country that was nothing like Chad. Except for the same crazy citrus flavors of Fanta, the landscape was more colorful, the air much lighter than that of a country still in conflict, and the patrons of the ice cream shop were actually pretty smart, hip, University students! So, out the window with one vision, and dive into the next."
The landscape that greeted me in Butare, Rwanda….

This photo was literally taken a few hours after a conversation that I had with a patron at Inzozi Nziza. I remarked that Butare reminded me of Colorado's afternoon thunderstorms in summer, yielding a ton of rainbows. Did Butare see many rainbows? "None," was his reply. Go figure.....

2011-04-10T17:28:00.000-04:00

Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cream

2011-03-08T18:31:00.001-05:00

<-------- Click the ChipIn Button to the left!

Dear Readers,

I wish I wish I wish I could show you all the images that I made in Chad this fall... still in copyright limbo... no comment. Anyhow, the experience (which I will indeed write thoroughly about when I can post accompanying images,) was a visual and visceral one that has me a bit hooked on Africa.

Last month, while visiting dear friends in Brooklyn, I had the opportunity to meet one of the lovely faces behind Blue Marble Dreams, "...the non-profit venture of Blue Marble Ice Cream [which explores] ice cream's potential to inspire joy and spur economic growth." Their pilot initiative began in Butare, Rwanda with a group of dynamic women (I believe from a local Butare drumming circle.) When Jenny shared this project with me, I immediately imagined portraits of Rwandans eating ice cream... a sort of poignant portrayal of a population enjoying life again. My understanding is that the people there are still very closed off to foreigners, friendly yet reserved to a large degree. I think that really capturing these portraits will be a huge challenge and will take a tremendous amount of patience, compassion, and just sitting and listening. However, I think that sharing with others the great strides in the human spirit's resilience will be worth more than I can possibly imagine at present, a great gift I hope the people there will bestow upon me, and one I could only hope to represent in the best possible light, a gift to them in return.

Just thinking about it right now, the great responsibility of telling such a story, leaves me with a bit of a knot in my stomach... which usually means I have to do it. I haven't scored too many jobs yet this year, just paid my taxes, and the dog just had a $400 vet bill... how on earth am I even going to spare the $1400 for a plane ticket? I know, I know, these types of negative thoughts won't help my cause.. must shift focus. Glass half full, glass half full...

For the hell of it, and because it's a good humble lesson in asking others for help, I started a ChipIn page to help me raise the money. This project is worth it, and the photos will, in turn, be donated back to the organization to help with their own marketing and awareness efforts. The power of a quality image can do wonders, and organizations such as this do not always have the means to pay for them to be taken. If you have the means and inclination, I humbly ask for your assistance in making this happen... For every $100 donated, a signed print will be delivered to you!! I'm not sure if that's incentive :D

All my best...

NAHBS 2011: Megan Dean's Moth Attack

2011-03-03T15:19:00.000-05:00

I had the chance last weekend to not only attend one hell of a NAHBS (North American Handmade Bicycle Show,) in Austin, but I also got to geek out with some really awesome frame-builders and fellow peddlephiles. On assignment for the NAHBS Official Blog, I met with Megan Dean of LA's Moth Attack, who featured a pretty sick lookin' track bike, see my post here. Her first show as a new builder, and consequently the only female builder there, I took the opportunity (and the shirt to prove it,) to get to know this two-wheeled maven, who's strength as a track racer, style, and flash of femme truly translate in this bike....

Tim Gunn- You'd Be So Proud

2011-01-29T17:11:00.001-05:00

I had a "make it work" moment Saturday. I kept trying to get my clients in Philly on the calendar for an engagement shoot. Definitely hard to coordinate around holidays, school schedules, life in general, but we finally worked out a date that I could drive up. The night before I realized, "Hey wait. I've never shot up there. Crap, where to go?" An obvious logistic that most intelligent ~~people~~ photographers would have nipped in the bud from the get-go. Not me. No, no, no. You see, I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl, take my chances, role the dice, it keeps me on my toes... I'm only half serious. Photography can sometimes involve quite a bit of planning, but usually if you have great real or fake light, wonderful people like Katie and Matt, a car, and Google Maps, you can make it work. 20 minutes before we were supposed to meet, I find this amazing grist mill down the road from our original meeting spot. I don't even know what a grist mill is, but what a beautiful sunset location for an engagement shoot! A warm thank you to K & M for braving the bitter cold and sitting with me for some yummy tea afterwards, can't wait until August you two!

The Big O

2011-01-29T17:05:00.001-05:00

Big indeed! Four adjacent brownstones to be exact. The O Street Mansion people, check it out, it's insane. A home away from home for weary rock 'n rollers touring through DC, this amazing eclection (is that even a word? You know what I'm getting at..) This amazing eclection of autographed guitars, artwork to make a connoisseur of the 80s buckle at the knees, and random crap that people donate (my client donated her beloved cat's Christmas stocking when she passed away,) elegantly clutters this gigantic B&B/event hall/Sunday brunch joint. Only open to the public twice a week, everything in this place except for the signed guitars, is for sale. But wait! There's more! 32 secret passageways! I'm not kidding. It's like Spinal Tap playing Clue. Please promise me you'll go..

Amanda and Blake had a fabulous engagement/going away party there, a venue as classy, funny, and eclectic as they. DC will truly miss having such a fun and amazing couple in the mix, good luck in LA you two!!

Crazy Fan Love

2011-01-18T22:49:00.001-05:00

...or DAS RACIST. Fun show that Emily Rabbit asked me to shoot at Sonar, check out their tunes...

To Hell With Tradition!

2011-01-17T19:41:00.000-05:00

Traditionally untraditional, totally Robin and Joe. From the magnificent way Robin put together her wedding ensemble; a mix of old school classy gal and modern minx, to the monogrammed Marion Barry handkerchief that she had given to Joe as a wedding-day gift (it was DC after all,) the sum of these parts equal a couple unmatched in style, humor, and fun. If was truly an honor that I got to be with them on this day, to see so many great people laughing together in a truly unique celebration of a union. My hope for all engaged couples out there is to plan their special day as Robin and Joe did- for yourselves! Make it about what you believe in, what and who makes you laugh and smile the most. A fabulous dress, a dancefloor, and a Marion Barry handkerchief never hurt that equation either.

At the end of the day...

2011-01-04T20:17:00.001-05:00

Just had a portrait session with a wonderful family... and wouldn't you know it.. as soon as the session is "over," I get my best shots. They all are of the youngest son, who just happened to wander off to feed his rabbits while the sun set this blazing orange glow over the bay. Awesome.

Pre-Winter Warmer

2010-12-07T14:41:00.001-05:00

Nothing fills my heart more than being surrounded by some of my closest friends, in a warm and sunny place, with sand between my toes and in the crotch of my swimsuit, and a luke warm pacifico ballena about every 45 minutes. This cluster of activity could also be known as "Todd and Ali's Mexican Wedding." Two of my dearest friends, linked for life, to each other and as the leaders of our tribe of outdoor enthusiasts. How many powder days I've spent chasing Todd down the hill through his stashes. How many times I've romped up trails in flip flops and skirts with Al setting the pace of a seasoned hiker. How many rides we've done together and storms we've weathered, and I, their perpetual third-wheel. I feel so blessed to have shared so many adventures with them, and this being the beginning of yet another chapter. Having just come home from Africa, I took a little break from having a camera attached to my face... but alas, that never lasts long... here a few.

Yikes! Bikes!

2010-11-26T16:26:00.000-05:00

Geez, what a crazy last couple of months... lots 'o traveling, lots 'o work, lots 'o fun outside with friends! Russ started racing cyclocross this fall and I get sick every week because of the copious amounts of screaming I do out on the course. Then... he got me a cowbell. Holy cats I'm loud! I love it though, the whole atmosphere of the cross community here is fantastic. Once again, life is so much better because of a bicycle...

Go Fly a Kite

2010-09-28T14:46:00.000-04:00

Grown men flying kites never gets old...

Charm City Nights

2010-09-28T14:43:00.000-04:00

New project!! Woot! I've recently become "re-smitten" with Charm City- Baltimore, for those not in the know. Lindsay and I went exploring the other night, taking roads I've never taken, stopping and talking to people I would never have approached on my own, and climbing around super sketchy abandoned streetcars... I love hanging out with her! Here's a few of my faves... this will be an ongoing project as we have now decided to move there!

Andrea & Jason

2010-09-07T19:39:00.000-04:00

I absolutely adore this couple! Andrea and Jason, from the moment I met them, felt like old friends, and I love it when that happens! On our first meeting, when Andrea walked in with a black and yellow polka dots on, I thought, "..oh yes... they will be fun!" And later to learn that we share the same passion for the outdoors, the mountains of Colorado, and shakin' a tail feather... well, I just don't normally get all of those fun bits in a client. Let alone two!

They were married on a warm, late summer's day, on Jason's granddad's amazing piece of property, complete with rope swing and koi pond. My lovely friend Alison of Freckle Photography joined me as the second shooter, and brought some amazing creativity to the table once again. Here are a few of my favorites, enjoy!

The South Dakota Experience

2010-08-16T18:10:00.007-04:00

The view of the Badlands from an overlook near Red Shirt, South Dakota.

So, I've taken on a part-time job with an organization that I've been volunteering with, VisionWorkshops. Basically, our mission is to put cameras in the hands of kids with a story to tell, thereby giving them a voice to do so. We partner with other organizations all over the country and all over the world to make this happen, and the stories are quite compelling- whether that was the intent of the student or not. Sometimes, the lack of intention makes the story even more touching, and the experience more tangible.

Students from Pine Ridge photographing Wind Cave National Park.

I've been tasked to coordinate their regional programming, but am lucky enough to be invited to partake in their other workshops- the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota being the latest. You can find a five-part series on my thoughts and feelings on the workshop itself beginning here, but I also wanted to post some, more personal, thoughts as images on Piedlife.

The daughter of the Visitor's Center caretaker, Willis, at Wounded Knee.

The mass grave site at Wounded Knee.

On arrival, in Pine Ridge, we were presented with the horrific news of 4 attempted teen suicides the night previous, and one completion. "Completion," Chick Big Crow had said, with a faraway look in her eye of someone that had said that word often in that very same context- such a foreign context to how I normally use it. It stuck with me. A storm had been brewing all day as we drove there from Rapid City- the wide expanse of rolling plains acting as a stage, allowing us to see nature's drama play out. Threatening clouds unfurled as this more human drama began- almost as if on cue.

Willis, the caretaker at Wounded Knee.

I felt the weight of this place, these bad-lands. Overhearing someone describe the people here as, "..in a permanent state of grief," I began to understand the depth and layers of such a statement. Driving past battered and neglected mobile homes, largely distanced from one another, with amassing junkyards out front, I began to see these settlements as metaphors for the people that existed inside. Having seen this kind of poverty in other places in the world, I was not immediately affected. That came, suddenly, when I arrived home, realizing that I was still in the same country, my country, and that this kind of depression, abuse, and poverty was happening here.

These are the personal images from my stay there that had the most effect on me, but please refer to the VisionWorkshops blog for an overview of the wonderfully positive workshop we did there with nine of the most amazing kids on the res.

Mariam and Solaiman

2010-08-01T09:39:00.008-04:00

I had the great pleasure, last weekend, of photographing my first Afghani wedding- what an event! It was so wonderful to meet such warm families and be a part of this special day for Mariam and Sol!

A Very Brady Plantation

2010-07-30T18:24:00.005-04:00

I loved the paintings in this now defunct sugar plantation outside of Frigate Bay, St. Kitts. I can only imagine the actual people in these portraits living in a 1960s St. Kitts....

Volcano's and golfing and black men, oh my!

2010-07-12T21:46:00.001-04:00

I know, I know, that sounds sort of bad... or un-p.c., or whatever.. but I just realized I never posted about my trip to St. Kitts this spring to assist for my buddy Patrick O'Brien. Aside from our trip being delayed because of volcanic ash (no, not Euro ash, Caribe ash.. didn't get as much media attention,) it was a successful jaunt into the wilds of St.Kitts golflandia to shoot the native vacationers. I did get my one token shot of what the island is REALLY like...

Best Face Ever Award goes to....

2010-07-12T21:20:00.002-04:00

...this wedding! I love catching that moment, that true expression of a person's inner psych-ward patient or method-actor fantasies. We all have one lurking, don't even try to hide it. This was a really uniquely stylized wedding- not only was it being filmed for television (TLC was doing a little number on Georgetown Cupcake, their caterer,) but the details lent themselves to a completely sophisticated yet laid-back gathering.. and the bride and groom were just such wonderful people, gave me the warm and fuzzies to watch them with each other and their loved ones!

Gin, Bikes, and Lawn Parties...

2010-06-24T09:39:00.005-04:00

A lovely afternoon indeed! A big two-wheeled thanks to Dandies and Quaintrelles, Holly Bass Performance Projects, and Hillwood Estate for putting on such a wonderful event for us DC velophiles. The Seersucker Social was a huge success, no thanks to the US' tie with England earlier that day and the copious amounts of old fashioned gin beverages being served.. a welcomed refresher after standing in the madness that was Dupont Circle earlier that day, watching said football match, then riding my single speed up a ridiculously steep Hellwood Estate driveway in sheerlifesucker "form fitting" pink pants. While the free tour of the air conditioned interior of the Estate was a nice touch, I couldn't help but feel a tad Eliza Doolittle admiring the ornate decor whilst trying not to let my profuse sweating drip on the carpet- handmade by miniature elves made of gold, no doubt. But once I had cooled down- WOWIE! What a place!

There's no place like... a Women's Institute?

2010-06-11T19:21:00.006-04:00

I had the great pleasure of shooting with my friend Alison of Freckle Photography, for a ridiculously photogenic wedding held at the old Women's Institute in Ellicott City, MD. I know... sounds... institutional, truly it's anything but! I'll spare you the long description, but the shell of a building now houses the Shakespearean Summer Theater, so use your imagination... or just look at the photos.

Gianormous Softbox

2010-06-11T15:09:00.004-04:00

Light is amazing... clouds... well, they're even better. Went to shoot a portrait for an annual report yesterday, got there about an hour early to scout an area that was one of the company's previous projects. There just so happened to be a great big wispy cloud over the sun, so I shot an image of Russell the Assistant- thank you nature's softbox!!!

Garden Party!

2010-06-02T21:35:00.000-04:00

Ashlyn & Ethan

2010-06-02T21:26:00.001-04:00

Some black and white favorites with Ashlyn and Ethan

A 'lil magic and doom....

2010-06-02T20:03:00.003-04:00

Merlin and Twister

No one can resist the pull of the cupcake

2010-03-20T22:47:00.002-04:00

Seriously....

2010-03-20T22:39:00.001-04:00

The Golden West in Baltimore... they don't fuck around with their cupcakes...

Vuelo Velo

2010-03-17T20:01:00.006-04:00

Boogied down to Richmond for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show a few weekends ago, ended up doing an impromptu photo show for a really amazing little Ti company out of Sydney, Vuelo Velo.

Crossing Borders

2010-03-17T19:51:00.002-04:00

Mentoring for VisionWorkshops has really been an enlightening experience. I think we all too often forget what it's like to be a teenager, let alone, one that is from a completely different cultural background, a refugee from their own country, and thrown into an inner city high school. We took the kids from this session to the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore to show them some examples of dramatic portraiture, to aid them in creating their own self portraits through photography. I really liked these images, they give the moody saturated quality that I associate with teenagedom :)

DogFace

2010-03-08T10:10:00.003-05:00

Portraits of Red just don't get old for me. Any photographer that has dogs, I'm guessing, shares my endless quest to capture their furry companion's various facets. This one speaks volumes of the aspect of the "Roo-ster" that is very much my Lassie- understands full sentences in English, comes to my rescue when I'm stuck in a well, and who would pull a baby out from a burning building (given that said baby resembled a ball, whoobie, or frisbee I think.) Nevertheless....

Dream thaw

2010-03-08T10:06:00.003-05:00

I've been slacking big time on the blogging, my bad. But it's because I've been out shooting a ton and am behind on the processing- yaay for working!! It feels incredibly good to have work right now and interesting clients, so instead of sharing that stuff, I thought I'd share a little treat... a peek at a new personal project that I'm working on!

Russell and the Detonator

2010-02-20T22:48:00.000-05:00

This is what photographer's do when they're snowed in and there's no skiing to be had.

The Yeti...

2010-01-27T20:07:00.000-05:00

AAAAHAHHFLUGBULGUBULSUBUSU?U?U!!!!

2010-01-25T21:43:00.002-05:00

My friend came over to cut my sister and I's hairs' before Christmas. She is amazing, and operates on stylist-client-telepathy, which I love! Vannah and I get super into hair when she comes over, and while discussing the hierarchy of consumer flat-iron-isms, my nephew decided to contribute by sharing with us his thoughts on the consumer hair product industry and it's shallow attempts at engineering products with good hold, freedom of movement, zero-sulfates, and all-natural ingredients. He apparently found a solid solution... yogurt.

Ali and Ruben

2010-01-20T22:41:00.000-05:00

A ridiculously funny night out in The Napp with Ali from Freckle Photography, and her music man Ruben.

Winter walking with the Russell

2010-01-15T21:33:00.002-05:00

Spankin' Good New Year to you...

2010-01-03T11:08:00.005-05:00

Ringing in the new decade was completely random.. I had made no solid plans, didn't much feel like going out and gettin' rowdy.. but when my buddy Christopher invited me out to a "mad-danceable" party with his friends Naeem Juwan aka Spank Rock and DJ Hoff aka I dunno, but I met his mom there... well... how could I say no to an intimate lil dance sesh with two of Baltimore's own most talented mash-up, ghetto-ass, music makers in the scene today. And mad-danceable indeed! Despite being a bit yachtey...

Christmas'd Out

2010-01-01T12:12:00.000-05:00

The holidays are actually really awesome with my family... I know that there are quite a few people out there that don't share my sentiments about their own families, so I feel pretty lucky to like and love the member's of mine- as big and loud as they may seem to outsiders! Kicked off Christmas eve with the startling realization that the 80s were indeed back with a vengeance when my 14 yro cousin popped the collar of his pink button-down shirt... pure awesome. I then proceeded to get the full scoop on the different fairies in fairyland from his 6 yro sister, followed by a trip down my own "lack of motivation at a young age" Lane as my other 11 yro cousin showed me the astonishingly intricate seamstressing of a dress she had sewn for the occasion, holy cats!! She is totally giving Martha Stewart a run for her tax-evaded money. Christmas day was a paper strewn pj-fest with my immediate family. Having my 1.5 yro nephew around has certainly brought an even tighter bond to our house.. I really felt like that this year was the first year in a long time where I just felt so appreciative to have everyone there, the last image sums it up for me.

Snow Day

2009-12-30T17:28:00.004-05:00

I'm so glad I have a dog... on snowy days, when I just want to curl up in front of a fire and hunker down, she reminds me that bundling up and playing in the snow is really so much more fun.

Little Dragon

2009-12-23T20:23:00.003-05:00

I'm pretty much obsessed with this band... They're dreamy and ethereal, yet so present and fully engaging in their live performances- Yukimi, the dazzling and surprising songstress behind their vocals, even gets down in the crowd to dance, whist rockin' that awesome tambourine racket thingy. So multi-faceted in sound, approach, influences....I've yet to find another group making music that speaks to my soul in such a way.. it's like each of their songs was/is the soundtrack to just about every different type of moment in my life. Whew... okay, that's enough. Here's some photos from the show... I was too busy singing and dancing to take to many :D Live in the now man.

Zoo-tastic

2009-12-22T10:37:00.007-05:00

Family portraits at the National Zoo, in winter, on a Monday... Surprisingly warmer than I had anticipated, but that cool winter light and lack of people, sort of cast an overall feel of quiet solitude. This doesn't necessarily scream, "Family Fun" but Mom's beautiful smile and Dad's positive nature warmed things up, despite the initial children's cries of, "I want absolutely NO pictures taken here today guys!!" No child is safe from my jedi-ways or kiddo-whispering.. so some quick bargaining- "..what? you want to take some pictures with my big fancy camera?? Oh okay... only if I can take pictures of you with the big fancy camera afterwards." A reluctant agreement is an agreement nonetheless.. I'll take it. Zoo's still make me sort of sad, I'm not gonna lie. I liked these photos best because they capture how this vibrant little family filled the
space.

Yule-mony Black and Whites

2009-12-21T13:02:00.004-05:00

My BW faves .... and of course, the "Cutest Child at the Wedding" Award goes to.......

Yule-mony

2009-12-21T12:49:00.005-05:00

I'm really glad the weather held for Dan and Mary's wedding. Leading up to that, the week was bleak and chilly, and now a week later- record breaking snow! What luck. Here are some of my color faves.

Snowball Express

2009-12-10T14:38:00.001-05:00

Wow... I am just completely bowled over with joy at the moment.. I got the opportunity to photograph the arrival of the Snowball Express at DCA yesterday. They are an organization that, through the sponsorship of American Airlines, takes the children and families of deceased Iraq-war soldiers on a little holiday trip every year. This year, they get to visit my motherland- the Lone Star State! The highlight being a day at the new Cowboy's stadium with some of the players to run around with.. wow. So many twinkling eyes and bright faces, eager to board this very special plane and take a very special trip...

Goldsprints

2009-12-07T13:41:00.000-05:00

Bikes, bars, beer, and breathlessness... = Goldsprints @ Asylum

BFF

2009-12-07T13:39:00.001-05:00

Best Friends 4-evah, OR Bicycle Film Festival... both are rad. The latter being even more so because you can go with your bff, which, on this night... was my camera.

...tiny tots with their eyes all aglow...

2009-12-04T16:07:00.000-05:00

Turkey Lurkey

2009-12-04T15:36:00.004-05:00

I was happy, once again, to visit the Givnii and spend the holiday with their amazing family. What a warm and relaxed time it was filled with so many heartfelt moments.. it reminded me of some new and improved ways to show my own family how much I love and appreciate them. So for that, I am truly thankful.

The lion...

2009-11-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

...and the lion tamer

2009-11-02T14:42:00.000-05:00

courtesty of Alison Harbaugh @ frecklephotography.com

Bowl-a-Rama Wedding!

2009-10-29T15:21:00.000-04:00

....and this wedding came complete with a retro bowling alley in the basement! No, Pee Wee's bike was not there. Congrats Travis and Sarah!!

DogLand

2009-10-29T12:59:00.001-04:00

In trying to build my pet portrait portfolio, my big sister Lauren was kind enough to host a dog party/brunch at her casa in Baltimore. Her and Meagan have an awesome row house off of Patterson Park, lots of colors and fantastic mermaid artwork, and it is (of course) a house ruled by the dogs in their life! They even have their very own Queen-sized futon for romping around and "digging demons.." ...you had to be there. Introducing: Haley, Daschel, Kai, and Blue

Rick-Show

2009-10-26T14:14:00.004-04:00

At the 5 Boros ride in NYC earlier this year, I struck up a conversation with a guy on a rickshaw with a super cool dog- imagine that.. like I like dogs or something.. or guys on bikes for that matter.

Sean, as it turns out, was planning on doing the same thing that Red and I are. Him and his sidekick Cooper are riding the perimeter of the US, in the rickshaw, for roughly one year. Talk about ironic. We were meant to meet..

Fast-forward 6 months, a Facebook friending, and several phone calls later, Sean and Cooper arrive in Annapolis, and the two weary travelers immediately get sucked into the vortex of comfort that is my parent's home. Sean unpacked his 3-speed, 700lb tricycle.. and all I kept thinking was, "good night he has a lot of shit.." and "thank god my ride is under 50lbs and actually has gears," as he started telling us about having to pull the rickshaw up hills.

Then, it began to rain... and rain... and it rained a little more. Sean and Coop had seamlessly become a part of the family in nearly a week's time, waiting out the rain. Quickly they learned to help themselves, pitch in with dinner and dishes, humor my dad's jokes... burps and farts were openly exchanged amongst us all, a sign of true comfort. And then, sadly, the rain clouds parted and it was time for them to move on. Here's to you Coop and Sean, we miss you already and wish you a safe adventure! Can't wait to cross paths with you on the other coast!

Race for the Cure

2009-10-25T12:53:00.002-04:00

Last weekend I volunteered to shoot photographs for the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, here in Maryland. It was gray, dreary, raining, and barely 39 degrees outside, and yet the Parade of Pink rolling through the parking lots at 6 a.m. to the starting line were filled with smiling faces, supporters and racers bringing a whole wash of warmth over Hunt Valley. Armored in waterproof from head to toe, I set out to capture the energy and emotion in this fantastic crowd of people pretty in pink. I even met the Gov'nah, and learned how sports shooters plastic wrap their camera bodies in cheapo panchos!

Sucker for Sparkles

2009-10-24T10:41:00.005-04:00

My neighbor's daughter started at the performing and visual arts magnet school this year- such a cool thing, and in it's inaugural year. I hope it does well! Anyway, I got so excited about it that I asked about any upcoming projects they were working on that I might be able to come and take photographs of. As it turned out, they were working with the mirror artist Bob Benson, who tiled the oak tree outside of the American Visionary Arts Museum, to make a similar shiny flashy tree outside of the middle school. OH B"O"Y! I'm a sucker for sparkles... Unfortunately I missed the actual flashie-making process, but I got to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the school, where the tree was highlighted as a new piece by the students. Super cool stuff.

DooOOHH Bie!

2009-10-21T16:56:00.000-04:00

I used to really like that show Dobie Gillis. It used to come on Nick at Night when I was kid and we had first gotten cable. I forget the premise really, black and white, set in the 50s.. well, the black and white TV era, so yeah. An oaf-y teenage guy's pursuit of young ladies in big skirts. My tribute to Dobie, some photos of my Aunt's beloved "dobies" in black and white.

Senorita Senior Portarateur

2009-10-13T18:04:00.005-04:00

Three languages in one blog title (and one awesome misspelling,) feelin' good.

I've landed myself in the senior portrait biz... happily, I might add.

I (for better or for worse) remember very clearly what that age range was like, and see it as a real challenge to try and bring out the best story in the people that I photograph- furthermore, I want to be able to parlez a true expression of who they feel they are as people, to all of the adults in the world that don't get them.

We're all there at some point, and how quickly we forget what it's like.. and how good it feels to go back vicariously with some adult knowledge ;D teehee...

Here's Allie, Ben, and Kelly....

BIcycle! BIcycle! I want to ride my bicycle...

2009-09-06T20:14:00.000-04:00

...I want to ride my biiiiike!

If you don't know what that song is.. don't worry, I didn't either for the first 25 years of my life. And then suddenly, beginning on the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria (where Queen is evidently still a very popular and oft listened to band,) I heard it nearly every day for almost 3 months thereafter. Kill me now.

I would hear it randomly in Eastern Bloc grocery stores, Freddie Mercury crackling and screeching his two-wheeled fancy out of shitty boom box speakers in outdoor cafes- like pressing mounds of mechanical pencil lead through a spaghetti strainer- a sound that wouldn't necessarily kill you, but you sort of wished it had when it was over.

And then I began to sing it.. In my head, out of my head, into the wind, into my toothbrush.. It was like driving past a car accident, you just can't help yourself, you indulge in a gruesome glance.. or in this case, a gruesome glee club try-out tune.

But guess what folks, I DO want to ride my bicycle. Any four of them, any and all of the time, and sometimes I take photos. This particular night ride- as there are many, just me, the cruiser, and the Little Red Dog.. but this particular night ride is entitled, Nuclear Mini Van. Enjoy.

Not a good wedding sample.. but funny

2009-08-30T20:44:00.004-04:00

I tagged along with Brian on a wedding shoot yesterday and caught a few great moments... I didn't realize he was so handy with a garment steamer thingy.

Yard Sale!

2009-08-27T19:35:00.008-04:00

Well, you missed it. The yard sale of the year has come and gone, and where were you? Did you not desperately need a ceramic pot of your "Lover's Ashes" ? Or perhaps you didn't realize your life was incomplete without the Da Brat CD. One couldn't have possibly resisted the temptation of owning the Lateral Thigh Master- as opposed to just the regular 'ole Thigh Master touted by Ms. Suzanne Summers. And yet, I've never truly appreciated my hometown until this day.. to see the slice of Annapolitan life that yard sale-ing provides for those of us so intrigued by our fellow mankind and their love of sales and knick knacks. You only want $1 for this little chicken in a basket? SOLD.

Taco Tuesday

2009-08-01T19:23:00.000-04:00

Everyone loves tacos.. why is this? If you were to ask the typical American man what his favorite food was, he'd say Mexican. This is not an uneducated opinion mind you.. a few years ago I lived in a house full 'o dudes who had the brilliant idea to host Taco Tuesdays. What started as a weekly potluck for friends, soon evolved into a feeding frenzy for randoms, a DJ in a gorilla suit, and endless mixed CDs entitled: Taco Tuesday volumes 1-9. And guess what? Dudes galore.

Annapolis on the other hand, host a Taco Tuesday and you get 99% women, tater tots, and a screening of Zardoz. Yes, that (link) is Sean Connery, and yes, (below) her dreadlock is taped to her face like a 'stache. Awesome. I love my friends.

FamDamily Fourthin' Fun

2009-07-06T17:01:00.001-04:00

I'm blessed to have two starkly different families- my mom's and my dad's are polar opposites.

For example, my mom's family would think that frying fish is fantastic, my dad's would prefer to boil shellfish.

My mom's family enjoys day's out on the lake, in fast boats, trying to whip each other around on tethered rafts shaped like hot dogs... while my dad's family prefers a strong breeze to shuttle the sailboat out into the bay- don't forget your docksiders.

My mom's family has also been known to enjoy (in large quantities) an alcoholic concoction we lovingly refer to as "Ass Punch," not to be mistaken for a swift fist to the gluteal, but rather a refreshing little number consisting of blended frozen limeade, Miller Lite, and vodka. My dad's family has been known to sneakily put away moderate amounts of White Zinfandel- the 'pink' wine for those who aren't in the know.

Both families, I love dearly for entirely different reasons except for the one that's obvious- I'm stuck with'em both! Regardless, this year's meeting of the minds from my mom's side, took place on the 4th of July at the lake in Tullahoma Tennessee... Google it.. and, yes, there was a parade, and yes, my mom was indeed wearing a diaper.

KOA fun

2009-06-14T14:21:00.000-04:00

Wow, I feel like I'm getting totally swept away with summer and slackin' on the bloggin'.

Went to Harper's Ferry WV a few weekends ago to kick it with the homies. Here a few photos.. my lovely model's name was Grace, featured here with her pet snake Violet, but of course.

I really liked trying to play with the juxtapostion of the innocent introduction of a child to wilderness, and the darker, more mood laden themes of certain grim fairy tales that share this same setting. I shot wide with a fast 50 prime, and used a quick shutter, to create a nice shallow depth and strong shadows.

I kept hoping she would bust out some ginger snaps and start leading me on a path through the woods...

Swanky Golflandia

2009-05-26T09:11:00.006-04:00

My buddy Patrick O'Brien calls me up to assist on a lifestyle shoot in South Carolina, when I expressed this new-found interest in interior/architectural photography.. "There's a dress code," he says. Huh? Whaa? 'Mean I can't wer my flippers 'n cut offs?? Luckily I had already taken my daisy dukes from the early '90s to the Goodwill, or else I would surely have given him a heart attack by showing up to his house the next day, bags packed, in a pair of those.. for shits and giggles of course. He's my new favorite friend to mess with!

As it turns out, however, Kiawah Island is ranked in the top 10 private golf resorts in the country- i.e. Muffy pack the polo shirts and cherries for the Manhattans cuz we goin' swanky golflandia! And a truly beautiful place it was indeed, great attention was paid to all aspects of the clubhouse and neighboring cottages- where our gracious hosts put us up- all very much in sync with the characteristics of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Our talented art director, Gil Schuler, was a wealth of knowledge in this area, and also a good resource if you wanted to build a rocking chair out of old guitars/amps.. And when POB wasn't running me to and fro in my fancy golf attire, amongst the no-see-ums, to coordinate models, bucket trucks, and a brutally finicky tripod.. I actually snapped some shots- more of which can be found here.

Spring Sprigs

2009-05-07T21:40:00.002-04:00

My granddad had a saying, "Spring has sprung, the grass has ris', I wonder where the birdies is?" For you Pop...

Derby Hon

2009-05-06T16:51:00.004-04:00

Something's eating me...

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to turn 30- truly. I like getting more comfortable in my own skin, more confident with expressing thoughts and feelings I know to be a bit more experienced, and I love that I have the financial stability of a 30yo and not that of a 20yo! Finally! But what's eating me is (don't laugh) what to do for this birthday.. this celebration of benchmarks. I went to Disney World for my 10th and 20th, so that seems logical... but laying down some serious deniro to ride some rides with Mickey does not. And lately, I've been thinking a lot about rollerskating. Pizza party at the skate rink anyone? Some derby images to get the 'wheel's turnin' ... no pun.

the Givnii

2009-04-15T15:58:00.006-04:00

I was invited up the Philly 'burbs to check out the amazing home of Karen and Bruce Givnish.. and though I don't normally go ga-ga over elaborate houses, let's just say that this particular abode had me making ridiculously throaty noises like, "gursh... gaaalll... goooo... me likey."

Karen- being the creativity behind The Great Room Designs , has an experienced palette in combining natural elements and comfort, texture and pattern, lighting schemes and balanced warm/cool tones, for overall ambiance... I think it's safe to say I am envious of her living space and her wholesale privileges.

Cherry Blue-summoning

2009-04-03T21:44:00.000-04:00

I love a good play on words.. Anyhoo, went to shoot the annual Cherry Blossom Fest in DC this morning, and it was nice and gray, overcast and glum out... made for some moody spring shots! I kept thinking, "WWJD? What would Jeff do?" That would be Jeff Hutchens, DC's own Mood Master of the photog realm, who's work I totally sweat.. like.. totally man.. hearts dot my "i's" sweat. Nothin' fancy, just off the cuff here:

Gray Pray

2009-03-26T10:16:00.003-04:00

I never know whether to spell gray with an "a" or "e"... I think "a" implies the feeling of being gray, and "e" the color? Someone help me out here, I no longer trust Wikipedia after the "elephunk" fiasco.

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum yesterday.. I wouldn't consider myself a religious person, but yesterday I decided to start praying (out loud in the car) for my sister to be able to find a better daycare situation for my nephew. I love that kid more than I thought I could love something that poops and pees so much on me, and I'm taking a hiatus on focusing so much energy of car-prayer on myself, so... No sooner did I do that, then three ladies I waited on that evening told me they were about to say their dinner blessing, and was there anything I would like them to pray for on my behalf? Why yes, yes there is....

That nearly brought a tear to my eye, how thoughtful of them, and how perfectly synchronized! I have been smiling all day.. more photos of smiles...

Shifting Focus

2009-03-17T10:33:00.000-04:00

I am in love love love with tilt-shift lenses.. can't afford one, so I've been faking it in Photoshop. But it's sort of brought up a lot of creative thoughts and ponderings on "focus"; being in/out of it, applying symbolism to it in photography/art, yada yada..

This past weekend, I boogied up to NYC on the Chinatown bus with my Western States Bff, Alison, to merge her with my Eastern States Bffs, the Chao sisters. What a convergence of souls! A meeting of the minds, or just a bunch of fantastically unique divas (in a good way) cruisin' the spring-time city streets in search of sights, sounds, good eats, and shoe sales- I scored a sweet pair of Fleuvog boots for $50! Oh yeah, I did a bit of shooting as well ;D I kept things soft and blurry because that's often times how I feel when I'm there. Soft and blurry? I might rethink that statement.

Tough break- here's a squeeky toy...

2009-02-28T09:26:00.004-05:00

A little fun social commentary in light of our country's current state of affairs, which I'm resisting to admit are affecting me- blind optimism. I have been giggling at the shift in marketing strategies, not for someone's misfortune, but at the beauty and gumption of our society to capitalize upon any and everything- egads! ...on a slightly smaller note, I have also noticed that I'm using more and more of my depression-era grandparents' vocabulary, a sign?

So, when looking for Mikey B's birthday card on hallmark.com today, imagine my surprise (shock, awe, distast, et cetera) to come across a new section of hallmark offerings, under the "Care and Concern" category, titled Loss of Job. Oh yes folks, because who can say it better than hallmark?

Merely pointing out that, "..damn Bob, that sucks a fat one," doesn't even come close to expressing the sympathy that this card exudes ... click it, you'll enjoy it.... for about 1.8 seconds.

Hearts with mechanical wings... an ode to the Valentine

2009-02-12T15:21:00.005-05:00

In recent years I've become the kind of person that says things like, "I hate Valentine's Day.." or, "..what happened to celebrating being single?! I want Singles Day dammit!"

I never thought I'd be so cynical as to dislike a particular holiday born out of the 1840's for lack of something better to do with a day. Geez.. there I go again. And then there's the other oft heard comment, "I don't need a singular day to remind me to tell my loved one's I love them!"

So much hoopla, both positive and cynical, surrounds this day that I began to think about the true nuts and bolts of what it means to 'love' something..

Which, in a round about way, brings me to a particular piece of artwork by my dear friend Dave Borba of DB Collectibles, who hand-carves and 'antique' interactive folk art, inspired... well, by the heart. One of the most wonderfully imaginative and heartfelt people I've ever met, his work is truly unique and fantastic. Furthermore, it seems to be fueled by a passion, a love- if you will, that exudes the intricacies of the heart, both literally and figuratively. While his pieces are lighthearted and playful, they also show, unabashedly, their darker more complex sides.

This particular contradiction in aesthetics is something I've always been drawn to- Yoshimoto Nara is a longtime favorite of mine that comes to mind. So, in this season of cut-out and cut-up hearts, I invite you to fully embrace (and love) the dark and light aspects of the heart...

...and enjoy the images of Dave's House of Wonders...

Mushroom houses, lil green patches, and procrastination

2009-02-10T12:30:00.003-05:00

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've just spent the last 20 minutes of my day browsing a "catalog" on how I could spend my virtual money decorating the mushroom house for my "lil green patch" on Facebook- WTF?!?! As opposed to yesterday, when I spent the better part of an hour creating a Facebook.. er... Dogbook page for Red (my canine co-pilot.) Am I suffering from post-travel procrastination depression?

Not that I would call being in SLC for three weeks, travelling. It was more like absorption. I discovered some time ago that I'm the kind of person that prefers to travel to a place, sit and spend some time absorbing the life and atmosphere instead of running around from sight to sight, snap-happy in sandals and socks.. I digress, I'm procrastinating again... stop it Piper.

Toasted walking sticks, aka "legs"

2009-02-06T12:51:00.005-05:00

I've just spent three weeks in Utah. Wow.

Let's break down that statement for a minute:

-Wow, SLC is an "interesting" city; the streets are incredibly wide, and each cross walk provides you with little orange flags to alert traffic of your crossing, how thoughtful and safe!

-Wow, SLC is an "interesting" city; the subculture here still resounds the feeling of being truly repressed, intense, and unaccepted instead of the mainstream value it's taken on in every other city in America, how refreshing and inspiring! If not, slightly jarring.

-Wow, every single public bathroom I've used in this state has seat-cover dispensers, how thoughtful and sanitary!

-Wow, there's a lot to ski here and I'm really happy that my legs have held out this long and allowed me to take some nice turns on blue bird days, how nice of them, and fulfilling!

-Wow, if you ever get the chance to visit Alchemy Coffee on 1700 and 400S, and try the Kona blend, be prepared to want to sprint around all over the place and talk a mile a minute... My hands are shaking right now and I can barely type with out stttudddering onn the keeysss. How fun and fun-nY!

-Wow, just when I thought I was getting some great shots, I've just flipped through and decided how crappy they are and that I need to get after it! How glaringly annoying for the amount of time I've spent here.

-Wow, I really miss my dog...

twas the night before obamauration

2009-01-20T16:16:00.001-05:00

...alarm goes off at 5am... brain dialogue as follows:

Get up Piper... burrow under the covers... snooooooze... alarm again... dammit Piper get up... wet dog nose in face .... I have to pee.... half-asleep-hand-petting-dog-head slowly.. slooowly.. slooooooooooooooooowly.. asleep again.

ALARM... sweet jesus, alriiiiiiight! 20 minutes, and one shot of espresso later and I'm merging onto the highway, tunes a-bumpin'... passing massive highway lightbright's reading: INAUGURATION TUESDAY 1/20, EXPECT MAJOR DELAYS

No traffic at all, creepy... oh, it's a holiday... Obama Headquarters! Sweet! T-Shirts 2 for $10! Nah, they're kinda ghetto... I wonder who might like an eraser shaped like Obama's head? Turn towards capitol building- aww, I'm glad that homeless man is selling Obama backscratchers, he could turn his life around with the money he makes in the next two days. Uh oh, 1st road block, next street ..driving in this city is nuts.. oooOOoOoo look how pretty the sunrise is over the Lincoln memorial! Crap, I missed my turn."

Insert moment of extreme patriotism mixed with early morning driving skills, here.

Parking was relatively easy despite security and road blocks.. The line-up of reporting trucks from across the country, with their giant rooftop dishes, shown like a row of morning-blue lit satellites, orbiting The Mall.

Ironically, the overall feeling this morning is quiet and reflective, before about 2 million overjoyed people would be packed into this 1/2 mile radius amongst the jumbo-trons, for this historic event. I closed my eyes and listened to the birds flapping around the reflection pool in front of the capitol steps, and reveled in another moment of patriotism. Only a few sunrise runners, and excited early risers strode about. Some, clicking their portraits of one another in front of the Capitol steps, others simply going about their morning dog-walking routines with Mona Lisa smiles- hiding their political preferences in such a politically charged city.

Driving out of the city, still before breakfast, in places/neighborhoods where I used to see poverty, degradation, danger to whitey...I instead saw possibility, hope, and future communities of mixed races..I turned on the waterworks for a sec, I won't lie ... then stopped and thought how awesome the gentle underlying vibration of history in the making felt...

The how's and why's part deux..

2009-01-16T23:14:00.005-05:00

The Mary Poppin's part:

As I write this, I'm pointedly typing with my right index finger- laptop teetering on the arm of the couch with each tap of the keys, baby in the left arm- carefully reclined by pillows, with my left index finger helping to tripod a bottle into his mouth. A photograph at this moment would be way too much to ask for, but am I confident in these multitasking superpowers that I've developed in my aunthood? You bet your ass I am, damn proud of it too.

Rewind five months, I was terrified to even hold the little bugger- but anything that comes out screaming and doesn't quit for four hours is likely to be terrifying for even the most well-seasoned baby-handler.. I asked the nurse on duty, she just wiped the sweat from her brow and said, "He just has a lot to say I guess.."

So at two-weeks old, when I was able to diaper and swadle my nephew with the swiftness of a ninja, and soothed him to sleep effortlessly, did I feel like the "baby whisperer?" You bet your ass I did. Tippin' one out to my homies right now- all you baby-handlers out there fightin' the good fight not to lose your mind. Werd.