Queen of the Wild Frontier

A Yearly Tradition

2011-01-29T22:22:00.000-08:00

Last year when I went home for Christmas, I got to go see Roan put on her little holiday recital.

This year Mary and Luca came along.

Mr. Luca is a little bit in love with Ro ro.

It's pretty damn cute.

She keeps getting taller. And more gorgeous. And sweeter. And more loving.

I could not be prouder to know this kid.

If only they had better lighting....

The Missing

2011-01-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

Oh man these kids.

My sister's babies.

Every time I go home and I get to see them, my heart explodes with more love than I thought was possible.

And here is where I make my busy-ness (read: procrastination) work in my favor. Now I get to post all of my photos from New York for the next few weeks, and look at these delicious little faces.

Until next time...

Do you have a Kelly? I highly recommend it...

2011-01-06T00:14:00.000-08:00

Nearly a decade of friendship...somewhere along the line she became family.

We started in Woodstock and landed in LA.

We've frolicked across Ireland and around Spain.

I can talk to her about anything from pointless gossip to my deepest darkest secrets.

I trust her implicitly.

We fight like sisters, and then get over it faster than anyone can keep up.

She never lets me get away with being anything less than the best possible me.

Her dog cries with excitement when she sees me.

We've painted both our parents houses, and cleaned out each other's closets

We've laughed and cried, often at the same time.

We've swapped clothes, and music.

I can't imagine a life where Kelly isn't my ~~best friend~~ sister.

On January 1st we woke up at the crack of dawn, to do this photo shoot, and start anew.

I love these girls

Isn't she lovely?

The Princess and the Pea

2010-10-27T00:06:00.000-07:00

My friend Jodi had a Princess/Prince party for her birthday last weekend.

You could interpret it anyway you wanted.

Of course there was the birthday girl herself, all decked out in traditional princess garb, and Prince himself.

And then there was the frog prince, which made me happy, and a million other interpretations of the word.

But with everyone there, I think my favorite was the Princess and the Pea.

Do you remember that book?

I do.

My parents used to read it to me when I was tiny, and I read it to myself a million times over just as soon as I was able.

Even then it made so much sense to me.

You can't just cover something that is bothering you.

You have to either remove it, or accept the bump.

Of course she could still feel the pea under 14 mattresses.

Possibly that means something different to me now than it did when I was four, but never you mind.

The moment I saw that girl in her silk pajamas, with that pea, I remembered being all cozy and snuggly and protected in my bed, being read a story that I loved, while knowing I was loved.

I am lucky.

Even if I have to read my own bedtime story these days.

From the horse's mouth

2010-10-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I was an avid horse back rider.

At least once a week I was at the barn grooming, tacking, and riding, and I loooooved it.

After a year or two of lessons, my best friend Perri and I (we met when we were not yet six, and we are still best friends nearly 20 years later) began to show in horse shows.

My mom french braided our hair, we ate snacks from the back of her parents wood paneled jeep, we ran around and passed the time with excitement, our instructor gave us pep talks and last minute changes, our parents cheered us on, we won ribbons.

It went on in much the same way for four years.

All told, these shows are a huge part of our childhood memories.

We got better, rode more, jumped higher, and grew taller.

Then Perri was thrown off her horse during one of our lessons and had to get stitches in her chin. Quite a few, if I remember correctly.

So then it was just me.

And when I was twelve I decided I didn't want to ride every weekend, all weekend.

I didn't want things to get more serious, and move towards being a source of income for my stable.

I didn't want to get sponsors and points and compete seriously.

I wanted to sleep late and play with my friends and drool over boys.

So I decided to quit.

Just like that.

And in the thirteen years since I stopped, I have regretted quitting more times than I could ever count.

I loved it. And in a petulant, impatient, childish moment, I let it all go.

Sometimes I can't watch someone riding a horse without feeling a little twinge in my heart.

I hadn't been to a horse show since I was the one riding in them, so many years ago, but recently a friend of mine asked me if I would come along and help her shoot a horse show.

I decided it would be exciting to be in that setting again.

The day came and it was long, hot, and buggy. After ten hours (or more realistically after two), horse shows are boooooring, if you are not the one riding.

All day all I could think was that I don't care if I'm taking photos, I don't want to be here if I'm not on a horse.

It was harder than I thought it would be. The regrets made me sad and tired.

I felt apart from.

But then I wandered off back to where the horses were in their stalls.

And the sun was setting, and it was cooling off, and I knew we were about to head back home, where I would see some friends that love me, and go to a place that centers me.

And for that moment it was just me, and the light, and the horses.

And I stopped being sad that I didn't follow through with a life that may or may not have made me happy.

Instead I was grateful for a life full of old friends and new friends, a great family, two coasts that feel like home, and a life full of experiences I probably wouldn't have had if I was solely focused on horses.

I can still appreciate them, without them being my world.

So I looked up at the gorgeous animal I hold so much love for, and I clicked the shutter I hold so much love for....

And then I nuzzled this nuzzle.

Please note: If you have never touched a horse's nose, please go find one. It is the softest thing you will ever touch.

I choose not to regret.

I choose, instead, to be curious about the next journey my choices will take me on.

And this is just another part of my story.

I'm back

2010-10-09T16:11:00.000-07:00

The universe has taken me and spun me around a few times, and pointed me off in a direction I didn't realize I needed to go in.

And while I can see that it is right, and that eventually the path clears... I am still dizzy, and stumbling, and feeling my way through.

Life is not easy for me at the moment.

And that is ok. It is not terrible either. Just hard.

I haven't felt like picking up my camera, or looking at or editing any photos that I have taken, and that makes me feel strange. I don't really know whether the photo block, or the not feeling like myself came first, but regardless, each has a huge effect on the other.

I know anyone with any facet of creativeness goes through moments when they can't write, can't paint, can't play music, what have you.

But it hasn't felt right, or good, or like a relief.

It just feels like I'm forgetting something.

So I will work on pushing through that, and using my severely diminished free time to pick up my camera again, and to post here again, and to edit photos again.

Because

makes

happy.

So.

Check back.

Hold me to it.

Hopefully it will be a longer post the next time.

And hopefully next time, will be very soon.

xxx

The Last of Barcelona....This time around anyway.

2010-07-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

The train went up up up, and planted us within walking distance of the Joan Miro Foundation, a gorgeous museum, in which we were not allowed to photograph anything....not that it stopped us from trying.

(yes that is a mercury fountain)

We strolled through the surrounding gardens...

Eventually coming to the site of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

will you look at that light?!

If I could have chosen the light that I got to see the sprawl of Barcelona bathed in, I couldn't have chosen so perfectly.

Then we ran (and I do mean ran) down, straight to La Champagneria, which is a famous bar, that serves the most delicious sandwiches you could ever hope to eat. They are known for their champagne (obviously), which I enjoyed, but that sandwiches are what makes it worth it to stand in the teeny tiny bar, that is so crowded you can barely move (and Kelly and Pabs said it was a slow night!).

Then we went out dancing until 6:30 am. We walked home as the sun came up.

And woke up just a few hours later to walk to Park Guell (another Gaudi masterpiece), on my last day in Barcelona.

This. Is Park Guell.

More Gaudi ironwork to inspire my uber talented brother...

This was the wave... (it may look like I was waving....in the wave, but I think I was just preparing to get down).

Yeah. Gaudi, amazing. Repeating myself, often.

I don't wanna leave!!

But I did.

And then the universe threw me on a plane that caught fire in the air, and shook me up and showed me that things don't always go as smoothly as I think they will, but that I'll be ok.

And that I'll have a hell of a lot of stories to tell.

And then it decided that plane ride was going to be a metaphor for life.

And that this last month or two has actually been significantly bumpier, and more frightening than the 90 minutes I was on the deathtrap plane.

But now I'm keepin on, keepin on.

Yeah. I said keepin on, keepin on, what are you gonna do about it?

And all will be fine.

Maybe even a whole hell of a lot better than fine.

xxxx

P.S. For those of you who have been to Barcelona and are saying what is wrong with this girl that she didn't go to Sagrada Familia???

I did go, we just happened to go, literally, on the way to the bus that would take me to the airport in Girona, an hour away. There are some shots on my point and shoot, but don't hold your breath, I'll get to them someday. ;) Looking at the pictures won't even show a fraction of seeing it in person anyway. Just go there.

Gaudi....The Incredible Man

2010-07-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

I have been avoiding photography lately...

But I don't feel like me without the camera, so I am trying to get over the inspiration slump I've been in.

I'm jumping back in with a Barcelona post, because seriously, what is more inspiring than Antoni Gaudi's life's work? I have never seen anything quite so beautiful that was built from someone's dream.

The shapes, the colors....these photos don't even capture the majesty of it.

I snapped some photos of the incredible iron work, for my welding whiz of a brother.

On the way to the roof, we went into the attic type area, which I cannot remember the name of, but it was like a maze of amazing.

We were catching glimpses of the master piece that was the rooftop... and climbed the spiral stairs to see it up close.

It was incredible. And rainy, and slippery, and maybe a little bit frightening for my verdigo inflicted amiga. But there were fences, so it was aiight.

And then we frolicked down the swirly stairs to the living quarters of the apartment building,

and um, I want to go to there.

At this point, I only had two days remaining...

Next installment (I might have been smoking crack when i said there was one more post four posts ago, but i didn't realize how many photos I had taken over just a few days), we take a speedy train to a museum at the top of Barcelona... the stormy light made my heart sing.

Not the Last Installment After All

2010-07-08T00:18:00.000-07:00

Once we were back in Barcelona, we had a Lot of exploring to do. Well, for me it was exploring.

We bought art passes at the CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona) that would get us into half dozen museums. Not many of which you will see photos of, because even though we were stealthy and Pablo would cough while I snapped, every shot was blurry. And not in a fun, artistic fashion.

We bought the passes on a day that Pablo was at class, so we walked around...

found a stunningly beautiful church....although, what European church ISn't gorgeous?

The next day, we went to see my very first Gaudi (although, by this point I had seen the outsides of many of his buildings, none of us had seen inside).

But first we had to stop at Vincon, a design store, which I fell in love with.

And then onto La Pedrera...which will come next.

It is late, and there are more photos left than I had thought...

The Ash Cloud

2010-06-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

It got us.

I dodged it three times before it grounded me, and we were so sure we would manage to again. When we left for the 2+ hour drive, we had begun to hear about airport closures, but Malaga was still open, so we took that chance.

But.

Our flight was delayed 2 hours.

Then we boarded. Sat for over an hour.

Deboarded for an hour.

Reboarded.

Deboarded.

Flight Cancelled.

Airport Closed.

We had to wait and figure out if it was worth it to go into the city... as they were talking about reopening at 2 am (by this point we had been at the airport for almost 8 hours). And we were not alone.

After sitting around for a few hours, we decided to go get something to eat in Malaga, and then come back and sleep for a few hours in the airport, before our flight was to leave at 5am.

And of course when we got there, we kicked ourselves for not going sooner.

The city was beautiful, and had this wonderful energy. It was nearly midnight when we were got there, and there were still people eating outside all along the streets.

When we returned to the airport, we found an open circle of tables and chairs and booths (which were already taken). We settled ourselves in with the rest of the stranded, grabbing spots on the floor, and rows of barely padded wooden chairs, and tried to get some sleep. It was hideously uncomfortable for everyone. But we managed a couple of hours at least.

The flight back to Girona (an hour outside of Barcelona) was nearly empty, but there was certainly a sense of community (even though i couldn't understand anything anyone was saying).

Getting back to Kelly and Pablo's apartment, and my little mattress on their living room floor, was heaven.

Unfortunately by that point I only had something like 3 days left in Barcelona (I'm sad just thinking about it...) so we couldn't sleep the day away, but after what felt like the best shower in the universe, we gathered our strength, and explored.

The last installment will be next...

What? Oh, that's just Africa.

2010-06-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

The day after the fair was our last day in the south of Spain before we flew back to Barcelona.

Nico was back at work, but Pablo, Lina, Kelly and I took a cab into Tarifa.

It's actually a small town, but after spending almost a week in Bolonia, it was like big city.

When we got there it was siesta, and everything was closed...

so we explored for a bit.

Walking through the little streets, with sparrows flying above our heads...

I love these.

Lina led us down to the place where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet.

Mediterranean

Atlantic

See that land mass on the horizon?

Yeah, that's Africa.

At the end of the walkway there was this huge abandoned building, that I was dying to go explore, but the huge locked iron gates kept us honest.

On our way back, we saw our friends on the beach, and all went out to a eat, at a restaurant next door to this bar....

Which we returned to and made our mark on.

The next morning we woke up early to drive back up to Malaga, where we were flying out of, but things didn't go exactly according to plan.....

La Feria

2010-06-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

When we woke up it was pouring. But we decided to take a chance and drive the hour to Nico's mom's (Pablo's aunt), and then onto the fair in Jerez. Which completely paid off, as we arrived to perfect weather.

I had heard that La Feria was incredible, but I didn't really know what to expect.

And then we got there, and it was as though we had been transported back in time.

We had our very own Sevillana dancer in our entourage (Nico's brother's girlfriend, Cecilia)...and although she didn't get dressed up that day, she whipped out some moves...

As did Clemen (Nico's mama, on the right)

And the rest of us drank some fantastically delicious drink and ate food (and/or took insane amounts of photographs) while standing around, watching everyone dance.

And then we jumped from place to place, getting drinks, tapas, and people watching....

Possibly my favorite shot of the day

When I first saw this, I was confused. I didn't remember taking this photo of Andre, and then I noticed the couple that Kelly and I had both taken photos of. And that Andre must have thought we were taking a photo of him.

It cracked us up.

He isn't in Kelly's of the couple, we didn't even see him standing there.

Please Note: This girl was selling flowers...or sunglasses, or something....and Nico charmed her into posing for a photo. Don't be confused if you don't know who she is. But she's pretty rockin, let's just be honest.

And then we got to the rides (Holy Canoli there are a lot of photos from this fair).

But we only went on one ride.

And it was insanely fun.

Till I got a bloody nose at the very end.

Oh the fun times.

Till next time.

Paradise Lost

2010-06-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Bolonia late at night, beyond exhausted after a long day of travel and exploration, and fell into bed, with no concept of where we would wake up.

The next morning, Nico had left for work, and we woke up late, and laid around on blankets in the yard while we took turns getting ready.

This town was tiny and we were going to walk to the one store and get stuff to make breakfast. But I had no clue quite how close to the ocean we were. 3 turns walking down little dirt roads....

And there it was

We lazed around again in the yard for a while, napping and reading and eating (I'm wishing I was still there), and then got it together to go exploring.

We went to see these ruins, but had to walk a ways to get to to entrance of the museum that would get us in to see them. It was gorgeous though. Crazy, make my heart beat faster, out of this world, gorgeous.

The museum was cool

But the view was better.

And the ruins were fantastic. So worth it.

Granted, I've never been to Rome, so I'm sure there's better, but it was pretty awesome nonetheless.

That thing was not easy to get on. And Lina's dress was not very forgiving.

School trip.... Spain in May is apparently crawling with them.

When we left, we ran into a lizard, that I was being all brave about, and wanted to take photos of.....

But now all I can see is how closely it resembles a snake, and I can't even look at the photo without wanting to scream and run away.

I never said I wasn't a giant wimp.... but there you go.

I much prefer hair, fur, or feathers on my wildlife.

Next up, we go to the Sevillana fair in Jerez.

I literally gasped when I walked through the gates.

Stay Tuned.

Did we just drive down stairs?

2010-06-21T23:46:00.000-07:00

We parked in the windy, narrow, hilly streets of Granada,

and decided to stop for drinks and tapas at the first place we liked the look of.

"Not anyplace that has English on it's menu."

We walked a bit, our energy having been renewed by the new sights.

We ended up at the top of the mountain, listening to guitar music

eating paella, drinking cafe con leche to combat the no sleep we were working with.

Then walked a bit more...

Stopped again, ate some olives. Took some photos in the teeny tiny "magical" bathroom.

Appreciated the view....

This was going to be a photo of the door.... Nico had other ideas.

When it was time to leave the town, and we were walking back to the car, we came to a split where Pablo thought the car was one way, and Nico thought it was another.

Kelly and I figure, Nico knows where he is going, he parked it, and he's lived in the area for 10 years.

So we split up, and start booking it. Of course, Pablo and Lina get there first, and Pablo pulls out of the (tight) parking spot, and starts to pull forward. and then pulls forward more...and just a bit more... we all know the game.

But eventually we are all in the car, Nico driving, Pablo in the front, Kelly, Lina and I already passing out in the backseat. We start driving, down what looks exactly like the hilly, cobbled street we are already on (although, in hindsight maybe slightly steeper), and THUMP, THUMP.

Upon further inspection it was confirmed that we had in fact, driven down stairs.

And we were stuck.

So we get out to try and push the car back up, its just a few stairs....and the back wheels are still on the street, maybe it won't be that bad. But no, it doesn't even budge. When we put the floor mats underneath to try and make a ramp, the wheels spit them back out at us, almost knocking us down.

And then all of a sudden it was like the end of a movie.

No less than 10 people that had seen us drive down, came out of the woodwork (we were too busy holding up the car to notice where they came from) and everyone grabbed onto the car. They had all seen us going over the stairs.

Even with so many of us, it still took a couple of tries. And when we finally succeeded we all cheered.

I think.

Or I could be thinking about the end of a movie.

Either way, it was fantastic.

And we were on our way.

Alhambra de Granada

2010-06-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

We left at 3 am to fly out of Barcelona to the Malaga airport, where Pablo's cousin Nico (accompanied by Lina) was going to pick us up.

He then gave us the option of going straight back to Bolonia, or driving to Granada to walk around.

We had wanted to see Alhambra, which was basically the sheik's own city. We couldn't get into the main part, because they only let 7,800 visitors in a day (all the better for keeping it pristine). But what we saw was gorgeous, and I am very glad we went.

This place was huge. We wandered around in a sleep deprived state, and snapped photos, and ate jamon flavored chips, and drank orange fanta, and snapped more photos.

I actually saw my Aunt, Uncle and cousin there, which blew my mind a little. I knew that they were in the south of Spain, but I had no idea where, and it was such a freaky, small world moment.

But very cool.

Unfortunately, I got no photos, as I was racing back to the car when I saw them, but they have one of all of us. Somewhere.

I got that hat in Ireland, but it was a bit of a hassle when I was taking photos, so Kelly wore it most of the day. Doesn't she look cute in it?

Completely exhausted, but happy, we made our way down to the city of Granada, for tapas, and more walking. To come in the next installment.

And also can I just say, thank you for the comments. I appreciate them so much. :)

The Rain In Spain

2010-06-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

We had been so lucky in Ireland with the weather, that really we shouldn't have been surprised when it rained nearly every day I was in Barcelona. It was certainly annoying, but there was something oddly satisfying about seeing EVERYone with an umbrella.

But Miss Kelly, being the peach that she is, often offered to hold up my umbrella high over my head, and I got a bunch of photos anyway.

It was so great to have someone who knew how to get around, I barely had to think.

Right near the apartment there was this magical Churreria.

On Kelly's B-day we shared one. Chocolate, and cream filled.

Friends, my mouth is watering just remembering.

How sad to know that I won't be having one anytime soon.

Another place we frequented was Las Ramblas. Which is a very famous part of Barcelona, and has a huge walkway down the middle of the street, with vendors of all kinds.

And street performers. Good lord, these street performers.

Yes, that is a man jumping over three completely terrified girls. Actually, flipping and spinning over them.

My favorite thing about Barcelona, may have actually been the markets. There are huge ones and smaller ones, and almost all of the stalls closed for siesta, but it is foodie heaven.

(and look! that's all CANDY!)

There was a big one on Las Ramblas, called La Boqueria.

Those smoothies btw, were amazing.

And I only had one on my last day.

Next time I will know.

Of course, we did get some sun, but it was just in time for us to leave for the south of Spain.

Can we talk about the view from Kelly and Pablo's?

Next to come...Jamie, Kelly and Pablo venture to Granada, Bolonia, and Tarifa.

The Day We Beat Time.

2010-06-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

So we woke up in Galway, with the plan to get an early start exploring the city, knowing that we had strict deadlines (like flights) to abide by.

But of course, it being Sunday, not a thing was open, and it was raining.....

So we walked around and took in a very quiet Galway. It was lovely just the same.

I am so in love with all of the old character Europe and the UK have.

And of course what's a vacation without an old man peeing on a building?

Although I can't really say he was the highlight....

I have an Aunt Trisha...how could I resist?

We had to get on the road early-ish, so we could drive an hour or two to the Cliffs of Moher, and then three or four hours back to Dublin (clear across the country again) to catch our flight to Barcelona.

We were stingy with the stops, but the ones we made were pretty awesome.

Stopped in this little town to print out our boarding passes, cause Ryanair has the strictest rules ever.

Took photos of shopfront.

Got back on the (very narrow, windy) road.

Saw a couple of insanely cute horses / ponies / mules, what have you.

Stopped. Photographed.

Obviously. ;)

Back in the car till our destination....

It was worth every rushed moment to be able to take a couple of deep breaths on those cliffs.

Then we ran back down the hill to the car, got in, and drove like hell.

Stopping only once, and it was to get the most disgusting chicken sandwich ever.

I'm actually laughing as I type this just imagining Kelly's face when she tasted it.

Hahahahaha.

But yeah, we made it to Dublin just in time....cause we are rockstars.

Actually Kelly can pretty much take full credit for that victory.

Way to go Greaney.

You rock, hard, on the other side of the road, driving really fast.

Chasing the Sun

2010-05-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

Sometime around 3...or 4 or 5...or 6, we left for the Dublin airport to pick up our rental car. Please note: From the second I arrived in Ireland, till well, pretty much right now actually, I had no concept of time. My phone was useless while I was there, and I don't have a watch, and to be honest, it just never really mattered. And it was lovely. To be unreachable. Unable to reach out. A challenge in brief moments, but a relief really.

But whatever the time was that we left, (after a very full day of walking and exploring, mind you) My Dearest Kelly had worked it so we drove from east to west, chasing the sunset.

It was amazing light from start to finish, and for this, (and the bed, and the food, and the tour) Kelly, I thank you.

In case you hadn't noticed... I have a thing for photographing farm animals.

I really can't post these photos of our little cross country road trip without mentioning Kelly's badass driving skills. Stick, on the other side of the road (and car)...for the first time, down tiny, curvy, bumpy roads. It was a sight to behold. There is no driving situation that Miss Kelly can't get herself (and usually a motley crew) out of.

The horses are not the motley crew I am referring to.

But really, they sort of are one now that I think of it.

I used to ride horses when I was younger, and I loved it, and I regret giving it up so often it's crazy.

As a result, I have to photograph pretty much every horse I see.

I love them.

On the way to Galway, Kelly took us to this amazing place called Clonmacnoise, and I swear to you she remembered how to get to this random place from her visit 10 years before.

Or maybe she looked at a map.

Whatever.

It was gorgeous.

Rays of light over ruins looking over a river? At Sunset? What?

We arrived in Galway sometime after sunset, and managed to find our hostel without too much trouble (other than the dodgy fish and chips we were required to eat due to the hour).

Still more Ireland to come....

And this was only the first weekend.

Please Note: There are too many photos, and I have too little time to do the watermark right now...so please. Don't steal my photos. If you want to use something, just ask! :)

And This is Just Dublin...

2010-05-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

OK. Get ready for a LOT of photos.

You knew it was gonna happen.

17 days, new places, it was inevitable.

I hope you enjoy seeing what I saw, I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to go.

***

Starting off the bat with a 24 hour travel day, I knew I was going to be exhausted.

Not that I minded. Although I will say that I squealed in excitement when I finally saw my hostel

and knew I was near a bed.

Gorgeous Kelly arrived that evening, and the next day, the real exploring began.

We stepped into a church to get away from the rain...

Then we tried to glimpse the part you had to pay to see...without paying for it. and we stood at the doorway, raised our cameras, snapped once, and the guard immediately says "No photos, delete those". To which Gorgeous Kelly said "we didn't get any".

...

Behold

The Secret Photo

Adorable street musicians anyone?

And then we drove cross country in just a few hours. To be continued....

Please Note: There are too many photos, and I have too little time to do the watermark right now...so please. Don't steal my photos. If you want to use something, just ask! :)

Just one week left

2010-04-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

Hullo.

I'm flying to Barcelona by way of Ireland, one week from today, and I am severely excited. So excited that I can't even really think about it, cause I feel like I'm gonna burst. But to be honest that could be partly from anxiety. That damn ash cloud is sitting on my mind, and although I am not even allowing the possibility of anything messing up my trip, I think I won't feel completely at ease until I land in Dublin.

Which I absolutely will. Safe and happy, if not exhausted. Positive thinking, just like my Mama says.

And in the meantime....here are some photos.

This field was near a housesitting gig I had at the end of February.

I loved it. Although I wouldn't have set foot one foot in that grass.

I know it doesn't look it, but that field must have housed at least a one body part.

Anyone watch Six Feet Under?

I'll take any good energy, positive thinking, prayers, etc. that you might want to throw my way for my trip to go forward without a hitch. Gracias mi amigos!!!

x jamie

The Street Artist I Fell in Love With

2010-04-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

I have known of the artist for years, although I have never actually taken it upon myself to see what he is all about.

Which I have been kicking myself for since last night, when I was informed that two new Banksy pieces had appeared in LA, and I finally decided to see what he was all about.

All I could think about all day was Banksy. I kept clicking back and studying each piece over and over.

Not to mention, one of the two new pieces had already been stolen (yes, an entire WALL), and I was praying the second one would remain.

And then I left work the moment I was able so i could race all the way from the Valley to Downtown before the light was completely gone. And I made it.

And it was as good as I wanted it to be.

New Love is Lovely. Even if it is with a Street Artist.

The Makeup and The Mask, POV 3

2010-04-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

This set of Marilyn is I think my favorite of the bunch....

This was Marylin's birthday shoot from a while ago that I'm finally getting to.

I'm almost caught up! I can see the light!

(and no, i am not naked!) :)

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

Can't believe how fast the time goes. Leaving for my vacation in three and a half weeks, and I am So excited! I feel like it was Just Christmas. But I am looking forward to beach weather. Bring it on. I am determined to get my AC rigged somehow.

Saving it for a missing day

2010-04-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

I never posted my last batch of photos from New York.

I was scolded by a face inside my computer one night that wanted to see LA photos after months of NY backlog, so I decided I would save the photos from my last night for a day when I was missing everyone like crazy.

Today would be one of those days.

Reports on Luca, and then getting to speak to Leon on the phone yesterday is enhancing the missing quite a bit.

I even got a little mini "hi" out of Hailey, that gorgeous little muffin.

Luca said to Bryan the other day "Dad, look Jamie's here."

That little nugget in itself fills me with so much love its ridiculous, not to mention that then Mary told me he has been asking for me a lot lately, saying "Mom, I want to see Jamie!"

It makes me feel like even though I am 3000 miles away from them, I am still a part of their lives. They still know me.

When I talked to Leon, he wanted me to come play tomorrow, and when I said I couldn't, cause I was still in California, he goes " Yeah! We play on the beach! We draw a picture in the sand! We play in the water." And I wished more than anything that I could do exactly that with him, tomorrow.

When I was 5 or 6 and Hank was first with my mom, he would do magic for us, and we all had magic names. My mom was Chief Commander Mommy Boss, I believe I was Tutu Fishnet, or maybe that was my good friend Maggie, I can't remember who was who. But I do remember how much fun it was to slip into that little world.

And it's so much fun to watch the kids be so into it now.

Now, please excuse me as I post way too many shots of the same thing,

but, um....they are so cute I can't even stand it!!

I really think having a sibling is such a great thing

Even factoring in all the squabbling.

OK, big sigh. That was the last of my New York photos until I return. Love all of you guys so very much, even if you are not in the photos, you know who you are.

I swear I'm no hipster

2010-04-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

But I find walking around certain parts of Silverlake to be ridiculously comforting.

I have no clue why

But I know I'm not the only one.

Granted, certain things start to make repeat appearances in photos

....but its a small price to pay.

Intelligentsia really does just make my heart sing.

Perhaps I will start off my weekend there tomorrow.