Best Show Ever.

I have to share this review of the Band of Horses show The Boy and I went to Saturday Night (below). It was incredible and most definitely one of the best shows I've ever experienced. I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.

Band of Horses @ The Independent

Shows.

I need to shoot more shows. I've started again by shooting my friend Adam's band. The lighting was horrible and it gave me some good practice.

Italy.... *sigh*

I am throwing an informal baby bbq for my dear friend Melissa and searching the world wide web for the perfect recipes. I sometimes forget how much amazing food is out there. I forget how amny options I have when it comes to eating good and healthy, yet still being satisfied with deliciousness.

Is that a word? Deliciousness?

When I was in Italy we went to a pizzaria in Verona that knocked my little socks off. Besides having the most amazing pizza in the world, I could write novels about their brushetta. Makes sense, since that's where it came from. So now I'm craving some serious brushetta and wishing I had a decent sized kitchen to cook some in.

And I'm dreaming of Europe and thinking about how very mych I want to take The Boy there. He'd love it and might even want to move, which I would be completely ok with. I don't feel like I was meant to be an American. I think that some paths got crossed when I was given my life.

Venice, Italy

Me - Giardino Guisti - Verona, Italy

Venice, Italy

Me in St. Marc's Square - Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

The Sister and Me - Malcesine, Italy

Color.

I am in love with this photo. It's not even a great photo... but I really love all the color and the writing. I took this at Merchant's in Oakland, one of the best bars in town. I *almost* want this to be the wall paper in my bathroom at home.

It Works!!

I'm back! I have LR2 working and supporting files created by my D300s!! I can finally upload and edit photos again. Wphhhhew! What a relief.

I thought I was going to go crazy today when I was incapable of viewing or editing my images.

I ran into Boots from The Coup tonight and talked to him about concert photography. It was pretty cool. I forgot how much I love to take and edit photos... until I wasn't able to do it anymore. I'm so grateful to be able to do this.

Photography Woes.

I had an issue this week where Adobe Lightroom 2 wouldn't upload my RAW images. It has really been bothering me. I spent about $1600 on a new camera body in January when the rainy season started. Now that I have the nice weather, I can't upload and edit my images.

I purchased a card reader that should be here any minute. I'm hoping this resolves my problem and lets me edit my damn photos!.

My goal is to get out and shoot more. Well, that's always my goal but this time it's especially significant because I have a $1600 camera that I'm unfamiliar with. I mean, I can take decent photos on it... but I've yet to take amazing photos on it. I want nothing more than to frame and show my photography. And what I want more than that is to become a concert photographer. It's on the road to happening. I'm just procrastinating. I need to work harder. I know this.

Lately.

I have had a writers block lately. I have so much to say and sometimes can't figure out how to say it.

I've been into some awesome-fucking-things lately. Yes, the "fucking" in the last sentence was necessary because they are truly awesome-fucking-things.

Twin Peaks.

What the FUCK. How did I not know about Twin Peaks until THIS FUCKING YEAR? I feel cheated. Seriously cheated. I have been in the dark about the awesomeness that is David Lynch for 26 whole years. I was 6 years old when Twin Peaks came out and I never had the privilege of knowing someone that could enlighten me of with this knowledge. Thanks to my lovely Amoreena, I have been enlightened. Better late than never right? Le sigh.

This week I had the pleasure of watching Blue Velvet. ("Can we spell BRILLIANT children?"). I could watch it every day. After finishing both seasons of Twin Peaks, I promptly queued up "Fire Walk With Me" on Netflix and experienced the movie. Then Blue Velvet. Next? Eraserhead. It's like having your favorite band continually come out with new music. I have so much David Lynch to still stumble upon. And I'm oh-so excited.

Cutting my own hair.

My Mother has been a hair stylist since before I was born. She gave me my first cut. My first color. My first perm. She didn't always do what I wanted. She used "discretion" when cutting my hair, later explaining "I know that's what you wanted but it wouldn't have looked good" or "I know you wanted platinum blond, but your hair would have fallen out". I've dyed my hair many times, but I've always had my Mom cut my hair. That is... until about 4 months ago. I started cutting my own bangs after watching an adorable girl give a perfect tutorial on YouTube. And now I save about $50-$70 a month by not getting my hair done in a salon.

Music, of course. Music is floating into my ears at least half of every day. I am so grateful to have had such a musical house hold growing up. My father bought me my first R.E.M. CD, my first Elliott Smith CD. He named me after an Elvis Costello song. He played vinyls of The Clash for me and my sister to dance our hearts out to. For that, I am beyond grateful. Recently I have been really into a little bit softer music. Twangy indie rock, if you will. Ray LaMontagne and Band of Horses are two of my faves. I can't imagine a single day without music. I have been anxious to be in a band again. I want to make music.

Counted cross stitch.

I haven't completed a pattern in a few years. The pattern I'm working on now is intense. I had no idea I could do one this complicated. It's all one color. I'm beyond half way at this point, going back to cross stitch all the half stitches. It's taken me at least 10 hours at this point, maybe more. I have no idea exactly how long but it's been very relaxing.

Spin class. Duh. it's one of my favorite things and brings me the best high. It's contributed to me losing over 20 lbs. I plan on losing 10 more. It's changed my life and I love it so.

Bed time. That's it for tonight's entry. I promise to be back more often.