Day 24 - Quencher

This post is a bit of a cheat. I'm posting it a little early because I'm going on a trip and may be pressed to find internet. I will continue to capture images and write about them daily, but they may not be posted until I get back.

My boyfriend saw this and it was just too interesting to pass up. How clever is the marketing guy at this fast food place that they label the drink lids this way. We ordered a large, but the lid that fits is in the "Quencher" stack. Maybe it wasn't the marketing people, but some smart@$$ college student enjoying their job. Either way, I applaud the wittiness and appreciate the chuckle we enjoyed. 

Ya see, too many people take things too seriously. I can say that because I'm one of those people, depending on what day it is. Time to pay bills, talk about money, make a big purchase/life decision, or anything dealing with getting into nursing school and there are no jokes that will snap me out of the serious mode. As for most other situations, I can find humor in just about anything. I can balance the need to complete the task efficiently with enjoying the process. 

This wasn't always so. I was WAAAAAYYYYY uptight. I was young and thought those little things mattered. Now I've learned, or been taught, that the little things should be enjoyed. Those big things I mentioned, they shouldn't be taken lightly, but could benefit from a deep breath taken and a sincere thought added. After that, you realize some things just don't matter. Also you can now clearly focus on the things that do.

I'm a work in progress, so yes, that not-so-relaxed "Bitty" rears her ugly head every once in a while and my sweetie, very gently but quickly reminds me of the particularly unattractive nature of that beast and I recognize. I wouldn't want to be around her, why should I expect anyone else to tolerate her, especially the people I love. I don't like being told that I can be harsh, but more over, I don't like the people I love being stomped on, even by me. Another step in the progress of my growing up.

Day 23 - Self Portrait

A Self Portrait Day

I've been toying around with different photo a day ideas. Checking others out online, different blogs and such, and I'm thinking I'll try anything for about a week. So far I like the portrait idea, but haven't decided anything firm yet. We'll just see what develops. Yeah, I know, bad pun. That ones for my dad. He's quick with those and it makes me laugh so i don't care if it's cheesy. I like cheesy.

I also like reflections. They are vague and interesting in that you have to look again to really see anything of detail. You have to invest some time and interest. That's what I like for portraits to be. To cause the viewer to try and find the story, not just know. To think over it and accumulate an opinion, as opposed to just looking at a picture. So here is me. or a reflection of me, leaving for the gym.

I took some others but these are the better ones. The others turned out blurry. I was too quick with the draw, and wanted it all to be over, even before the image was completed.  I just hate taking pictures of myself. I feel very self conscious taking my own picture. I love being photographed, having and especially scrap booking pictures of me, but a self portrait means I've thought through the concept, set up the camera and posed for the picture. As a photographer, I like giving direction to others and thus like to turn off the brain when I have someone else give me direction. With these I had to think about all the things a photographer thinks about and review the image immediately to see if my thoughts are represented. Its hard to look at an image and separate that part of your brain that says, "this is you. I don't like it because it's you."  and the part that says, "concept complete."

As a result of this struggle, i'm going to work on it. Give ya some more self portraits and become more comfortable with the idea of multitasking in a way. Assuming both roles. and liking it.

Day 22 - 'Eh'

Today, I was feeling particularly unmotivated, lethargic. Exploring the possible causes helps avoid this kind of grumpiness in the future. After extensive investigation I found several reasons:

I’m sore from the weight workouts. I just added squats back in and DANG! I’m feeling it. I am feeling an overall tiredness from walking so much lately. I went from virtually walking around the small apartment to walking several miles a day. I like it, but I’m tired. I enjoy the hot shower after my walk and workout, then I sit around and scrapbook and blog and watch movies online.

I’m also I'm tired of seeing the same things and places. My routine is my sanctuary in busy times. During school, it’s the only thing keeping my sane. Routine is my best asset in keeping my fitness motivation alive and blasting full force. Eating the same things and performing the same workout daily gets old FAST. Now it’s even faster because I have the flexibility to relax and not push so hard.  My routine has just become infinitely flexible and I’m not sure how to handle that. I know the results will come; I know I’m on the right track and I should just enjoy the process, but I’m losing interest quickly.

I'm also tired of only seeing my sweetie for the hour I cooked him breakfast and walk with him part way to work.  He works so hard for us. He takes care of needy people for 12 hours and comes home and crashes. I don’t want to be needy or complain. I know we’ll have some time off soon and we always have a great time, even if it’s local or low key, I love it. Playing Angry Birds together at some restaurant for hours or crushing through fresh powder on the mountain; it’s all good.

I love my life. I love being on vacation. I don’t miss home. I know what it is; I miss all the distractions of home. There were so many people to visit with and so many problems to solve. If I got bored with one area or it becomes too much, I branch out of my little view point, my little corner of life and purposefully involve myself in someone else's. I miss fun. I'm ready to go snowboarding again. I can't wait for that. Soon. A couple of days, adjusting some vehicle issues and ready to go. 

Wah, wah, wah. So what? Am I bored? Yea, I’d have to say I am. But so what? This week has been good; normal, routine, not really tantalizing, but good. I don’t like this feeling of blah. I wanted to get out of my funk, so…I put on my jams and got cleaning.

Yes! A house cleaning dance party for one!

Solution Found!

A smile crept onto my face as the jazzy juices started flowing. Adrenaline coursed through my body rejuvenating energy I forgot was there. So what's new with me? Nothing. But I’m choosing to enjoy this lull in the hustle and bustle y’all are trying to escape daily. At least that's how it feels. And it’s starting to feel better and better.

As for the walking and the photography, I've explored all I'm interested in exploring in this town and with this random snapshot blog.  I feel very confident in my ability to navigate the area, so I’m thinking of photographing purposefully. I am no longer looking for any ‘ol random shot, I think I’ll theme it up for a bit. We’ll see which theme will spark my interest tomorrow.

Oh yeah, here’s today’s picture. It’s a little ‘eh’, but tomorrow is a new day.

Thanks for checking in.

Day 21 - The Social Dilema

During my 2.5 miles walking today, I saw these and liked them. 

So the best part about this spot, where I'm standing to take this picture is that it's right next to the cutest little Mexican restaurant called "Maria's". So naturally I love the place. They are open from 8 am-8 pm, owned by a sweet Mexican lady who also lives above the restaurant and raises her kids there. She does a lot of the cooking too. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks all any day of the week. 

This is the 'historic' part of town, but there are only a few places that look like they have been there and been kept in as good of a condition as when the town was established in 1840s. The history of the town in interesting. Basically during the gold rush, people stopped where they found gold as long as they could send it somewhere people would pay, like bigger cities. So if there was gold and there were rivers, they made a city. Ah, the golden state of California.

Most of the houses that look like this are some kind of business. The red brick pictured here is an attorney's office, next to a funeral home across from a rental property. Maria's Mexican Restaurant is also a like these serving as a home and business. I'll post a pic of the restaurant  next time I'm there, maybe even stop in for a quick bite.

Also on my walk today, there was a guy on his porch and with a dog in his yard. After meeting the dog, I wished I had taken his picture. He was a huge, super-friendly and energetic puppy with a sweet face. I didn't want to get too friendly with his owner, so I kept walking.

I also encountered a couple of kids enjoying their day off at a playground/basketball court/park area near an elementary school that I pass everyday; Then I remembered that school was out for the holiday, I was immediately thankful that all of my days this semester are holidays. Go ahead, be jealous.

There is a large fancy corner house facing this park. I regularly see kids playing in the yard, riding scooters and skating in the half circle drive way and up the side walk that runs along two sides of the house. It's much larger than the houses around it as well as the rest of the neighborhood. It's well-kept and since there are few lawns at all in this area, this one is note-worthy due to the fact that this is a sizable, nicely kept lawn. It makes me want to take my shoes off and run around on it. Directly opposite this house, with the park in the middle are what we call back home "the projects". Not slums, not the ghetto, but apartments with lower income families, no yards and minimal attention to maintenance of the property. So this corner house stands out.

Today, it stood out for a whole other reason. I'm walking past the park, the kids playing basketball, then this house (no kids there today) and I notice something. In the yard right next to the sidewalk is a large tree with beautifully manicured bush encircling it. Directly on top of this bush was a syringe(see the yellow arrows).

The syringe:

The park:

So here's the social dilemma: 

You find a needle less than half a block from a park and elementary school in a yard that you've seen kids playing. What do you do?

Day 20 - Rebuilding Childhood Memories

I was up late last night and around midnight a thought occurred to me. I haven't made a fort in a while, you know the kind with blankets and couch cushions; and by a while, I mean almost twenty years!  I was giddy with excitement thinking about the epic fort I was planning when I realized I should photographically document this adventure. This way my sweetie could check it out when he got home from work (and I could blog about it). Then I thought it would be even better for him to walk into the living room and see it for himself. I decided I should stay awake to witness the reaction. So I waited up until 3 am and his expression and laugh were priceless. Even at 6'2, he crawled in to admired my work. 

It had all the modern conveniences, a PC with internet and video capabilities, my iPad to Sudoku to my hearts content, heat and cushions for comfortable reclining, even snacks (until I ate them all). Some of these are new additions to an age-old tradition and still some things were missing. My brothers. 

All of my fort making memories included two consistencies among many variations, my two younger brothers. They were my childhood playmates and we made impressive forts regularly. Inside, we'd play games, watch movies, go on grand adventures and have epic battles in larger-than-life imaginary worlds. Now we still make forts, usually with my nieces, and those days come flooding back to mind like a sweet smelling fragrance. They were my best friends. I didn't realize that or think of it that way until now. 

Now we have adult problems and grown up conversations. Reliving childhood experiences brings back the memories but not the innocence; Not the magic to erase the realities adulthood has wrought upon us. It's a bittersweet thing to have loved and depended on someone so much as a child and now think of them as an acquaintance, really. A dear, 'I'll punch you in the throat if you hurt them' acquaintance, but not much more. Now we share parents and a genetic marker or two; we love the same beautiful children, visit on holidays and some birthdays, but we are drifting. We like different things than we used to and have different tastes and motivations from each other. Our circles of life are in a constant drift in separate directions, as we start our own families and pursue careers. 

It's a little sad to think of the ebb and flow of relationships and experiences. So savor those from today, they're changing on you, soon they'll be a memory. But fear not, for they will be replaced by something beautiful and unknown. I can celebrate that.

Day 19 - Ode to the Dishwasher

I'm not really homesick. I don't need to see my family or hug my nieces, although that would be nice. I'm a traveler. I love being away. I'm not lacking for friends or social gatherings during my adventures and I keep it touch. I don't need much from home. I can fall asleep anywhere, and sleep well, so I don't miss my bed. I have almost everything I need or could want. There is one thing, of all the possibilities, all the comforts of home that I long for. If I could teleport anything here this very minute, what would it be? 
Well, you might have guessed it.

I miss my dishwasher!

Yes, my life, it seems at times, revolves around this sink. Two people eating 3 meals a day, with snacks included. Cooking daily and packing lunches. That's a lot of dishes. I can't even imagine adding kids to the mess. I almost don't cook or eat, so there won't be as many dishes. I think to myself, 'Just go to bed hungry, you've already cleaned the kitchen for the night.' Almost.

I leave you, today, with this thought:

"Lather, Rinse, Repe-eat. Lather, Rinse, Repe-eat. Lather, Rinse, Repe-eat, As nee-ded!" 

~Phoebe Buffay

I am singing it for dish washing hands every where.

Day 18 - Resistance

Today I walked.

I had some running around to do, so I walked. Post office, gym, store, RedBox-the essentials. All told, it was about 5.4 miles.

This is what I found. Life. Happening all around us. People yes, but even without us, things still push forth and persevere. Often despite our efforts, life continues. Beauty and carnage. The struggle and the victory. The fittest surviving. 

Because I slowed down to a walk today, I noticed more. It was exciting. Besides the constant looking over my shoulder in case I was about to be attacked, I was also able to look around and enjoy the sights and sounds. 

I noticed this set of bushes peeking through the sidewalk. The house here is well maintained.  These bushes no doubt got in the way of the sidewalk and fence and so they were removed. But to quote a favorite childhood movie of mine, Jurassic Park, "Life will find a way." These roots weren't going to lay down and be bullied by this man-made construction. They are a force to be reckoned with. This sidewalk has got nothing on them. They may be doing it slowly, but they are making a comeback. Who doesn't like a story with an epic comeback? Probably the city, because I'm sure it's already in the works to send a faithful city employee by on a cold Tuesday morning and spray some kind of killer chemical on these roots to beat them back again. Until that Tuesday, whenever it is, we can enjoy this picture and the story it represents. Life.

 Also, on my journey today, I passed a park near my house. As I looked over, I saw a cat crouched down, hunting, stalking prey. A crane 3 times it's size, casually looked over his shoulder toward the feline, almost scoffing in disdain.  He took a few steps in the other direction to further the distance and discourage the cat from the humiliation that was sure to ensue, but the kitty followed, nonchalant, trying to look innocent.  I decided, in true NatGeo fashion to capture this hunt. Sure as I had my camera ready the cat pounced, landing several feet away from the crane, who trotted away fortuitously. Not yet realizing that he has been out matched, the cat hunches down for another pass. This time the crane has had his fun and bounds off. Just as Mr. Puss begins a full on sprint in his direction, the crane takes flight leaving Mr. Puss to sulk momentarily before trotting off to find other game.

Day 17 - Productivity Level: Caffeine Addict

My life these days consists of several different roles. For fun and to pass time until my boyfriend gets home from work, I enjoy a variety of only slightly productive pleasures.

1. Angry Birds Star Wars edition: I've just finished beating the Tatooine level and have moved on to take down the Death Star. I still have Hoth, Path of the Jedi and the Bonus levels. I am proud to say that I've actually beaten my mans high score on several occasions this very night. Productivity level: Professional booster of my own self esteem and confidence; Today I'm taking out high scores, tomorrow the world.
2. Facebook: This is how I usually keep up with my peeps whether I'm home or not. Keeping up with friends and family back home is something I enjoy about twice a day. My favorite is to post pictures of my trip and wait for the flood of jealous comments. This is my favorite place to brag about the time off I'm getting and the snowboarding fun, while in a couple of months I'll be using it to complain about the work load in nursing school. Such is life. Productivity level:  Connoisseur of gossip and social awareness.
3. Pinterest: Ahhh, nothing calms and motivates me like a virtual pin board. Enjoying the fitness focused hard bodies and gym humor at the same time I'm fantasizing about the kitchen and stocking up on my collection of food porn. All the tasty recipes get my juices flowing and I can't help myself, I start baking, cooking, trying those recipes. Or it all just makes me wanna work out and stuff my face at the same time. I can say I have actually tried some of the workouts I've seen and only like one. Tried a lot of the recipes too, LOVE THEM ALL! Productivity level: An authority in working out and eating like garbage= maintenance (but only for the moment, the bad diet IS catching up with me).
4. Scrapbooking: Yes, as a photographer who is not currently displaying art work in any way, other than this blog (if you can call this art work...I wouldn't) I am neck deep in photographs, scrapbooks and craft store supplies. I love cataloging my life via the printed picture and colorful paper. I love the stickers and the glitter and the titles and the ribbon. The smell of the card stock aisle in the craft store is almost too much for me to bear. I usually don't even bring in my wallet, when I do and my nostrils fill with the aroma of paper and glue, money just jumps straight out of my wallet. Unstoppable. Productivity level: Historian and stress relief enthusiast.
5. XFINITY TV: Comcast has a wonderful set up and if you've paid for the service you can get cable, OnDemand and premium channels (like HBO, Showtime, Starz) all via the interwebs. So any TV series or movie on regular TV or a premium channel is at my fingertips. In December, I caught up on all the seasons of Dexter (love it!) and this week we finished up the first and second seasons of Shameless. Because I don't like to subject my sweetie to the girly movies that I enjoy so much, I watch those by myself. Thanks to my brother for his payment of this service and the use of his user name and password. Productivity level: Certified mooch and Expert celebrity analyst.
6. RedBox: There is nothing in the world like cheap thrills and this wonderful addition to the movie watchers arsenal, saves the day and often, the night. For just over a dollar you can catch a flick, that may not be worth the $4 rental fee, or the $20 DVD purchase. It's like test driving movies to decide if it's worth purchasing. It's just too bad we can't watch it on RedBox before we pay $10-15 in the theaters. Also the option to perform an online search through the variety of boxes in your area and reserve the movie you'd like to watch while still at your home is pretty amazing. Productivity level: Researching the drama of life like a boss.
7. Sudoku: Above all these, this is the one. I'm addicted. I can't go a day without playing this game or finishing a puzzle. Not true. If I'm snowboarding or with my man, I don't usually play. But if I have 10 minutes to waste or need to pass the time, I pull out the iPad and get on it. I've beaten my own high score a multitude of times and progressed to the "expert" level long ago.  I have recently resorted to only considering myself successful if I have a perfect game, with no mistakes AND come within 5,000 points of my highest score. It's difficult, but I'm willing to rise to the challenge, against all odds and persevere through many failures, in a race against the clock to...yeah, well enough of that. Productivity level: logic-based, combinatorial number puzzle MASTER!

Day 16 - Laundromat

I love to people watch. It's fun to try and guess where they came from, like their heritage but also the place they previously visited, just before walking into my world. I try to guess what type of fitness/diet program they ascribe to, if any. I like to make up stories about who they are and their family drama. I like to work on my descriptive techniques and vocabulary. 

She has 4 kids and they're not sure of their baby's daddy, or daddies. This guy is a Harvard grad trying to forget that he came from money and privilege, trying to be an 'average Joe'. This couple is on their first date, giddy with excitement and possibility. Those people have just gotten engaged and he's wondering how the weather is on the ninth green as she's rattling on and on about the most recent flower arrangement catastrophe.

I would love to take pictures of these people, but I haven't got the guts. Not yet, at least.  I would take vague, indistinct pictures, to represent the way I don't really know them, the way I will remember them, then post those pictures and tell imaginary stores of each one. 

Maybe I will.

There are better places, to people watch, than others. Diners and coffee shops are good for beginners, but everyone starts to look the same, have the same story after awhile. The mall, except around the holidays when there is less variety. Grocery stores are alright, except for the screaming kids that need a good spanking. Plus, I always get distracted thinking of my own shopping list. Walmart is the worst. Also the most strange. Target is too distracting, with all their enticing merchandise and eye grabbing marketing. I like quiet, boring places to sit and wonder.

Today: the laundromat.

Let's see. I had the place to myself at first. There were some washer and dryers going, so someone was there and was coming back. There was also a baby stroller with a blanket over it sitting all alone by the front window. The little momma, let's call her Abby, was the first to come back, carrying the little tyke and groceries. She was just getting over the sniffles and the recent break up of baby daddy #1. She had walked over to the nearby market for formula, dish soap and a pack of smokes she swore she didn't need. Momma likes peanut M&M's and shared with little Rashad, even though he is way too young for anything other than baby mush. They live with her momma, Faye. It's just the three of them and they like it that way. Faye works at the doctor's office, where she's been for almost twenty years. Abby just started at the dollar store on 6th street and thinks the manager is a pervert. 

Then, we were joined by Lily. She had jet black curly hair, cut short, not in any particular style. It was slightly pushed back with a pink sparkly headband. She was wearing a black Hello Kitty t-shirt, black jeans and a black studded belt. As you might guess, she was a little heavy, but tall for a girl. She acknowledged my presences and drank the sugar free Rockstar she brought in from the car. She hates being in this hick town, but stays to get away from her parents in the city. They don't know where she is exactly but she cares enough to keep them from worrying too much. She works at a local pet grooming shop and thinks about donuts and dieting daily. Never jumps though. Never pushes hard for any particular desire. Drinks with 'friends' to forget or fit in, but secretly wishes she could freeze time and cover their skin with ridiculous unmentionable permanent drawings.

Day 15 - Breakfast Club

So in case you haven't caught on...I LOVE FOOD. 

I like to make it, bake it, tweak it, eat it, share it, photograph it. You name it.

Yesterday was IHOP day. Today is homemade, country style, do-it-yourself IHOP day. Made with real butter and real bacon. The whole house smells like maple. YUM! My sweetie is a growing boy and needs a good sized portion. I enjoy a little less than whats pictured here, but only slightly.

We've got biscuits (from a can, 'cuz...homemade, from scratch biscuits...ain't nobody got time fa dat!).

We've got hickory smoked, maple flavored bacon. Cooked a little crisp, still very tender.

We've got some fluffy scrambled eggs, cooked in a little of that bacon grease.

We've got grits. REAL southern style grits. None of this adding milk and sugar shenanigans  like the west coasters around here. This is lightly salted with a whole heck of a lot real butter.

Some may think, so what. It's just breakfast. Oh no. This is 2 o'clock in the afternoon breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day. This is love. This is tiny tweaks in the same old, same old until it is just right. This is attention to detail, even in a traditional meal. Yeah, I could slap it together and toss it towards the table, but I have an annoying nag of a personality that is getting more and more bothersome. I like to enjoy things. Anything thing. Big things, little things, every day things, special or rare things. It really gets in the way of my laziness. But, it's worth the effort. It's worth the getting up early, the moving around the kitchen. It's even worth the clean up.

Laziness and sleeping in are awesome. Actually enjoying what I use to fuel my body takes work, but it's soooo worth it.

Day 14 - iHop

My favorite Date Night includes my sweetie and that's about it. This date night was a little shoe shopping (for him) and one of our favorite shared meals. IHOP.

Love the huge canteen of coffee all for me, while we play Angry Birds waiting on our big steak omelet and short stack of traditional buttermilk pancakes. YUM! He wins. almost always. I'm working on it. I'm a fan of the variety of syrup, but I go with the old fashion maple every time. Love it. Makes me salivate. Makes me crave some pancakes right now.

We had the place almost to ourselves and enjoyed each others company. He makes me laugh and we enjoy yummy food. It's simple; It's inexpensive and we're together. That is all that's needed. 

Yes, I'm a emotionally charged, hormonal, mushy, girly romantic. 

I don't care. 

I keep it reigned in most days and that serves us nicely. And sometimes I need to publicly appreciate the man that makes me feel at home. Wherever. He takes care of me, protects me, provides for me. He always will. He makes any life, any thing I do for him worth the effort. 

He buys me pancakes. I love him. 

Day 13 - Variable Similarity

Thirteen is weird, awkward even.

Today's picture is weird, that way. In every sense of this day: Uninspired, not translated from my imagination to film. Lite in a cumbersome way. I saw something beautiful, magical and it came out weird. Strange. Not as magical as when I first saw it. 

So I included another. 

Not shot the same day, a cheat of sorts. One day gets so many juices flowing, different opportunities to encounter beauty and spark curiosity. I just keep shooting on those days. Then when I get a dud (like today) I can throw it in as a a little redemption piece.

This may be my favorite image so far. Giving a little juxtaposition to the misnomer of the icky thirteen. 

Such a unique coupling at the edge of a parking lot in middle-of-nowhere California. A family. A bit of picture perfect variety and similarity all at the same time. I can admire the spontaneity of it and the layers of meaning and interpretation. The artistic majesty of creation happening all around us. I also think of Mario and Luigi.

Day 12 - Granddaddy's Shoes

As a young girl, I spent many holidays and breaks from school visiting my maternal grandparents. They lived in the Midwest and I loved going there. Firstly, because I was the only kid from my family going. None of my siblings went along. With 5 other kids in the house this was a real treat. Also, we flew. I loved the airport and the adventure. Just me and my mom trekking across the states. I thought it was special. And it was.

My grandparents were special, too. My grandmother was only to be referred to as such. None of this nanny, granny, grandma shenanigans! Grandmother only, and she was every bit what this implies. Stuffy and rigid, everything in it's right place and every rule followed to a T. She loved us, but had responded differently to the different grandchildren. I was a well-behaved youngster so this was easy enough to adhere to. I was the most well-behaved of all my siblings, thus the reason I was the only one who went along. I was the only one that Grandmother could control, thus the only one she could bare. She loved us all, but liked me best.

Now, Granddaddy was different. He was what you think of when you think of a grand father. He was quiet and sweet. The most loving and patient man. He was accepting of all of his grandchildren, as that they were children and they loved to play and run and laugh. He loved these things, as well.

He was truly a Jack of all trades. He loved crafting and making things with his hands. He carved items out of wood. I remember sitting on the back porch with him, in the middle of November, watching squirrels eat corn right off the cob, from a feeder he had made. All the while he was making something else. He had a workshop in the garage with drawers of nuts, bolts, tools, beads, leather, hooks, fasteners. A mini-hardware store. He had a native American background and loved to make beaded jewelry. He would mail me small items like this. He also knew how to crochet. Toward the end of his life, his hands worked less and less, but he still managed to make me a crocheted blanket for my high school graduation. I keep it in a hope chest he made for me when I was a baby and it still smells like him.

He loved puzzles of any kind and love math and numbers. He always had a puzzle going in his office and books of word and number puzzles with pencils marking his place. He loved any card game on the computer. He was an accountant for years. Of all my grandparents I'm most like him. Except for the math thing, all the others are a description of me.

My favorite memory of him, although they are all sweet to me, was his use of photography. As an amateur photographer he became the family historian, a role with which I can relate.  While learning his camera and the film, he noticed he accidentally took pictures of his feet at the beginning of each roll. As his inquisitive personality suggests, he loved the thought of the implied humor here and continued this tradition. Every roll of film started with a picture of his shoes. Sometimes he got creative and changed the setting. As I started fiddling with a film camera, I followed his tradition. 

At times or on certain trips, I'd photograph my feet, over people's feet, shoes, socks. Now, it's an opportunity to remember, to pay tribute. To immortalize where I've been and how I got there. Some pictures are just feet, and some tell memorable stories.

Day 11 - The Gas Light

The night of the Great Camping Mishap. 

We camp. Secure locations, in our vehicle and my boyfriend is a light sleeper, especially when it comes to strange noises and my safety. While on this mini vacation, as we were packing up and getting ready to leave the site one morning, as soon as we started the truck the gas light came on. In his boy-scout-like, always prepared attitude, my sweetie recalls that we had plenty of gas when we stopped for the night. "Not just, 'I think we did', but I'm sure we did."

The conclusion: someone stole gas right from the tank of the truck. Our best estimation was about 5 gallons worth. Enough to fill up an average sized gas can. Literally right from under our noses. $20 bucks, not a lot, but nothing to scoff at.

What were we feeling? 

Anger? nope. Frustration? nope. The need for vengeance? nope.

We were impressed. The skill and know-how to siphon gas that quietly and efficiently is impressive. The effort it took to steal, the attention to detail, to not getting caught...impressive! We had a god little laugh as the realization set in and we refilled the tank. Wow. The guts and skill. Impressive.

Now if only they devoted that time, energy, risk, skill and effort into some gainful employment or up-and-coming investment.

They could be running a fortune 500 company, 

instead of away with our gas.

Day 10 - Shots! (and not the good kind)

Crazy Medical Fun!

After the accident, my boyfriend was walking again in just under a year. He returned to work shortly after that. Now, over two years later, he is receiving a type of monthly therapy that requires several painful injections into the injury site. 

Today was his third session and I'm surprised at how interesting this event was to me. I am an avid scrapbooker so of course, as part of his journey to recovery, we documented it. 

Yea, that's a pain killer. They jab the needle in, snake it around until they never-so-gently press the plunger. The pain killer barely has time to do it's job as the doc unscrew the plunger, leaving the needle still fully inserted, and screws on the medication plunger and forces that liquid into his leg. There were several sets of these. Matter of fact, here's another image to further demonstrate.

  

Every one of these is an injection. The clear are the pain suppressors and the brownish/red are the medication, no needle, just a fluid forced through the already inserted needle. 

Crazy cool.

Day 9 - Night Photography - San Fran

Mini Vacation during my Mega Vacation

We took a day trip to San Francisco, which turned into a night trip, which turned into a 4 day trip. These posts are late, but well worth it. This post will have two pictures, because I just couldn't decide which I liked better. 

This is a perfectly shot picture of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It took several takes to get the settings and the camera just right, due to the lighting and camera shake. This was taken around 7 pm West Coast time, which is dark. I tried some closer pics of the traffic on the bridge but the headlights blew out the bottom half of the picture. Plus I was freezing so I wanted to get out of there. This was my second trip to San Francisco, but my best picture of their most famous landmark.

This image is to the left of the bridge overlooking the city of San Francisco and the Bay. This is a small bay across from the Fisherman's wharf. It struck me as quaint and tucked away outside the beaming lights of the big city. It is still considered San Fran, but on the out skirts of the Bay, the north end of the Bridge. Almost unnoticed. I overlooked it, until an adjustment in my camera settings made it pop. Then my mission was to capture this hidden nugget.

Some true San Franciscans may know the place well, and consider it a vital part of the Bay area. My interaction with this harbor was different. It snuck up on me, surprising me, reminding me of the quiet little brother, hushed into a corner to wait his turn. 

Day 8 - Self Portrait

What makes a good subject? Which is art? Which is a snapshot? 

Questions that plague every art student. The answer every artist knows.

It doesn't matter. 

If it mattered artist wouldn't make anything. The creative juices that inspire and spur them on would cease. So many art professors and students spend countless years in school and throughout their careers learning one valuable lesson. 

It doesn't matter.

Today I sat around, did some laundry, made some food, watched some movies and painted my nails. As a future health care professional this last bit is a luxury I will enjoy until I am no longer able. In training, I will be too busy for such a tedious task. In the career field, it is unsanitary to have painted nails. (eww! the germs)

A do-it-yourself mani/pedi. 

Is it art? Is it just the subject matter I chose when I woke up this morning? Is it just a good excuse to pamper myself? 

YES.

Knowing my camera, how to set it up, how to shoot a specific angle, background, the lighting, using the flash, but defusing it so it's not harsh. Does this MAKE art? Is editing art? Is photo shop art? I don't photo shop. I don't like it, don't need it and can't afford it and the subsequent updates that follow almost annually. 

So who cares what my subject matter is? I'm happy with the image. I'm happy today is done and that I shot what I intended to shoot. I'm especially happy getting the pedi!

Day 7 - Cookies and Life Lessons

Good with the Bad

After yesterday, I feel a little hypocritical following my healthy nugget with this sinful delicacy, but you have to let loose once in a while. 

I'm good at a variety of things, but none compare to my cookie making abilities. This is the super-special, super-secret recipe of a woman so famous for these particular cookies, they were named for her. (No, not Mrs. Fields.) I won't name her for privacy reasons, but if you've tasted these before, you know her name; it melts over your tongue like a piece of warm, chocolatey cookie.  I studied under her for 10 years perfecting the "from scratch, by hand" technique and committing the secrets to memory. All the ingredients are specific and a secret. The process and technique are specific and a secret. 

Why all the secrecy? and Why was I honored with this knowledge? 

'Cuz these cookies are slap-yo-momma, life-changing cookies. 

I earned this recipe. I literally spent hours upon days upon weeks upon months and years in her purple kitchen, savoring every moment. Every big world problem or small me problem SOLVED. Any discord in the friend group was, around the table, SOLVED. Any faltering moment in my college journey, SOLVED. The worlds deepest mysteries, SOLVED. Loneliness  SOLVED. Companionship, SOLVED. Mentoring, SOLVED. My growing up process, any teenage/college-age angst, SOLVED. Right there in her kitchen, in her heart. That's where I grew up. That's where my life was molded. These are yummy cookies, and these cookies DID change my life. Helped make me who I am.

Now 3,000 miles away from my family and friends I sat with my glass of milk and savored this little taste of home. I can have them whenever I want, because I make them, but it's still a sweet memory. Days sitting around her house talking and baking, talking and eating and talking. Good 'ol days. It's been years since I've last put my arms around this woman, but circles overlap for a time and then they don't. We move on, loose touch as the saying goes, "Nothing lasts forever". We keep in touch via the occasional Facebook photo/comment 'Like'. I'm not sad. We have our own lives and we are both happy. We have new friends and endeavors to pursue. I know if I needed something, she'd be there. And I always have those lessons. The cooking, and the talking. Her investment in me is maturing nicely. 

So thanks, you.