A Very Kitty Christmas

Have a Very Merry Kitty Christmas

Oh the holidays! For anyone with cats, or a relentless anima, they know what I'm talking about. It always starts with the decorations and then moves on to the tree. Usually the tree topper for the grand finale.

You set these up and instantly their eyes widen with excitemen. Their little minds start spinning with ways to obtain that shiny obect on top of this bright, colorful, oversized outdoor kitty condo. The lightbulbs offer a sort of luring in, while they stay for the ornaments.

Anything glass or breakable is bound for disaster. If you're in my house, the tree also should be either in a VERY secure stand or bolted to the wall. Even when you've surrendered and the tree is sitting sadley in a box, there is no mercy.



The killing of the tree continues long into the night. Once the tree has finally realized Christmas this year is not happening, it's onto the snowflakes. There is no mercy for anything bright and colorful.

Sanity Insurance?

'Tis the holiday season and the postal trucks are running in full force! With all these packages going here and there, one has to wonder. Will my package get lost? Now, I don't need to send any gifts since I have the fortune of having family nearby. However, I do need to ship my brand new, barely use, much loved $700 camera for repair! Of course it breaks during the holidays! Did you expect something less?

So there I am handing my baby over to a person I've never met. Continuing to express my love for bubble wrap and insulation to make sure no further damage is done. Watching my camera be taken to the back where I will see her in who knows how long.

I stand there and check the little box that states "DUH! I want insurance on this!" That's not what it says, but it's what I'm thinking. Now, I've worked in the postal industry before...things happen. You can't lie to me. I know that my baby will probably be fine and that eventually I will be able to prance along the streets taking photos yet again. But for now, I sit there and stare at the only piece of reassurance that they can offer...if we break it or loose it, we'll give you money for it.

Gee thanks. I feel so much better now. So what about insurance for my sanity? What about me worrying about the thing I just spent hours upon hours working to buy, saving my money for this prized possession. I doubt in the creation of this form they thought to put a line in that said "Don't worry, it'll be taken care of"

So there it goes. Off on the grand adventure to the Camera doctor. Be safe, don't take to strange parts. Come home safe. Lord knows I don't have the money to buy another one of you

Zoo Lights

I thought this involved the zoo animals too. Not true. Pretty, but like it sounds. Lights decorated around the zoo. oh and there were like a million people there.

Zoo Lights! Pretty!

My Best Friends Wedding

Well considering I just edited 150 photos...the description to my trip will have to come later :)

Sarah and Tom's Wedding Photos


San Diego & Sea World

Art

Funny how the ways of life strike so fast. One minute you're barely remembering the past and the next you're fighting to take as much in as possible with us. The world moves in a funny way, sometimes faster than we think. Preserve what you can and don't regret what you can't. My thoughts, monitor the phone. Hoping the words are never uttered. The tears will never fall. A goodbye will never be said. Our hearts desire time, when there is little left.

I sat there, next to him. My head on his shoulder wishing it could stay there forever. Pushing sleep aside, my eyes stare. I focus, trying to memories every piece of him. From the moment I arrived, time slowed, the world didn't matter. Only life, the here and now stood above the rest.

So I sat there. Staring. Trying to ingrain the image into my mind. I wanted to remember every wrinkle, every grin, every gray hair. His eyes are soft, full of love, memorizing the world in his own way. They light up as we talk about the wisdom he's gained over the hears. Little tan boots cover his feet, slippers that have seen many mornings and many evenings. Red bathrobes now hold a special place in my heart as it, tied perfectly around his waist. Slowly a smile cracks across my face as I notice his political pajamas.

My heart pours out love for him. So much so that it hurts that time is not enough. This man means everything to me. More than I think he will ever know. The kindness that seeps from his heart, slowly into the lives of others is intoxicating. His heart pours joy. Once a heart that carried him from WWII, to births, to deaths, to love and everything in between. Now beats slower, steadier, time limiting the days. The heart is tired, but the spirit still kicks strong.

My hero, my love, my one and only. Conversations, memories, laughs and loves...treasure them. Only the Lord knows the number of our days. In the end, the only thing that matters is what you can take with you from this world to the next.

Art, I love you. To me, you are a hero. To me you are the most important thing, you are my Grandpa. To me, you are in my heart.

A Movement of the Soul

Last night I was blessed enough to attend the Ray LaMontagne concert with Leona Naess opening. This was my birthday present to myself and let me tell you...it was the best one yet. My amazing friend Chauncy attended with me for an evening of food and fun. Our parking experience was one of the funnest memories I have of us. Between the two of us we can parralel park and drive a stick shift...although we can both only do 1 of those :) Needless to say I'm sure we got some looks of confusion as we laughed in an awkward hysteria.

The show was held at McCall Hall in Seattle. The structure itself should not be counted out due to the medium size. The inside welcomes strangers with glass and a lightness to it. Since it was my birthday present I decided we were going to have good seats. The entrance to the lower level is a long hallway only lit by the small circular track lighting. The crimson red paint from beginning to end puts a sence of eagerness and excitment in all that walk these halls. Only to open up to a wonderful sea of chairs complimented by the green, brown and blue colors.

The show started and Leona Naess appears on stage. Her bairfeet make a distant sound as they grace the stage. Her orange summer dress pops in the black background. She begins to sing and the room is filled with a light, airy, yet jaw dropping grace. She sings awkwardly with her body moving to the emotion that floats through the air. There is a timidness to her that is cute and almost childlike.

I highly reccomend checking out the true talents of Leona Naess.

Then, the moment came. My heart begins to beat, my arms tickle with goosebumps. I am ready to see the man who has settled my soul for many days. "123 and" he whispers and the sound begins. An upbeat version of "You Are the Best Thing" opens the show. I can't help but display a large smile as my favorite artist whails into the night. His knee buckles as he dances, moving to the beat of his own music. His arm stokes the guitar in a very fast, not to mention visually strong, motion. Almost as if it was mocking a Metronom, swift and cutting it it's movement. He speaks little. Saying only a small handfull of sentences, still with a humbled shyness and meekness to his voice. He stands, graciously on the stage, thanking the stagehand each time he brings a new guitar. The mention of his first show in Seattle brought smiles and cheers. His hopes of 80 people were blown away at what he described as 400 waiting fans launching his success. He thanks 103.7 The Mountain for taking a chance on this man quiet in personality, yet loud in music and emotional expression. He is my favorite artist and his lack of words don't mean a thing when it comes to talent.

His music is a gift to this world, powerful and connected.

Photos for Thoughts

Here are my learning photos and others that I thought would be fun to look at. Tell me what you think? Suggestions?

The Wedding Slideshow

So, I've finally figured out out to enter a slideshow. This was the most fun I ever had taking photos.

Attempting to Edit

So, I finally purchased an editing program. Needless to say these photos were taken with a general lense and no external flash. I've never taken a photography class or anything of the sort. I'm excited to display my "work", but also I'm suuuper nervous at the same time.

When I photographed part of my friends wedding, there was a real photographer there. I'm very glad for that since, I was nervous enough taking some hair photos. I had a lot of fun. I've discovered how much fun I have when I photograph.

Anyways there are two links. One for the wedding and one for some random edits. I'd LOOOOVE to hear what you think.

Please don't hold back.

Andrew and Megan Gohl's Wedding

Random Edits and Things

Ahh the Dreaded Wedding Dress

As some of you may know, I am in love with Project runway. Last night was a very surprising and stylish episode. Since the 4 bombed dreadfully their "music theme/eavening gown" dresses they were all sent home. Their challange was to make the line they'd show at Fashion Week as well as 1 to be glorious wedding dress.

I was sooo surprised when they went to visit Kenley. Her's was flat out amazing. The girl may be a bit...well a lot...of rough around the edges but she can sew. It was nice to see her out of her element and doing something different to. There was tool of course, can she do without it?

Leanne had a naturally gorgous dress as everyone knew she would.

Korto had a surprisingly over frivilous dress. I would have thought with all of her style and love for the natural she would have toned it down a bit.

As always Jerell's was waaay over the top with stuff everywhere.

His line I didn't like at all. Who wants to go out looking like a person who has been covered in matalic paint? It's just too much for one body to wear. Koto's line was surprisingly boaring. Alide from the cool stitching and interesting layering, there was nothing else but the main color. No diversity in the dresses. They were beautiful, but they lacked a punch. Leanne's clothes are very amazing. They blend well, they are beautiful and have this silent peace about them. I am sooo in love with Kenley's line. It is truely aww inspiring. Her dresses are some that I would kill to wear. After all her fighting, I believe that girl knows what she's talking about. However, my only fear is that the judges will think that she didn't make them blend. They were wide, yet amazing, in variety.

In the end I must say that my as always opinion stands. I hold out hope for kenley. She may be rude, but her fashion sense is undeniable. Leanne has a way of making a woman feel truely beautiful. My money's on one of them.