March 30, 2009

Vegas, Baby!

I've been dying to get some shots of Vegas, so we trekked out to Sin City for a day. I love that it's close enough that it's not a huge production and we can get there in just a few hours.

I have to say that while the drive is an easy one, doing it at night is not my favorite. It's PITCH BLACK going through the desert. I have a technicolor vivid imagination so I always imagine how it would blow to break down in the middle of the desert, because I'm absolutely sure (in my imagination) there are bands of roving psychos just waiting to capture us and have city-folk barbecue.

(omg, that sounds crazy and paranoid even to me! LOL!)

Here's the drive at night, looking straight ahead.






Now here's the drive at night looking out my side window.



See what I mean???!!

Driving in at night is worth it, though, because you get to see that beautiful glow in the distance when you come over the mountain and get into town.






To be continued...


-- Post From My iPhone

March 24, 2009

Shameless Self-Promotion :-D

March 21, 2009

Geese Scare Me

I was feeling generally punky today so we decided to pack up our old crackers and cereal and go to the regional park to feed the birds and squirrels...and take pictures.

We got there and H grabbed the dog and the crackers, I grabbed my camera and got ready to shoot. I was a little nervous at first because the geese are really big, and apparently I've watched way too many America's Funniest Videos, so when the geese started staring me down and slowly walking toward me, I felt a little panicky. I heard a little squeaky voice telling H "throw food at them" "don't let them bite me" "they're coming!" and then I realized it was my voice.

After H threw a ton of cheerios and quite a few oyster crackers, I finally started to relax. They hadn't charged me like the ones on TV, and for that I was extremely grateful. I was able to get quite a few pictures and no geese bites.

But geese still scare me.















March 20, 2009

March 18, 2009

New Pictures - "Smooth Curves" and "Caress"




SEE THEM HERE

View From My Window

Looks like we're in store for a very fruitful summer this year. My nectarine tree is loaded with blossoms!



-- Post From My iPhone

March 16, 2009

Father & Sons (1)


I love this picture. Today I sold a print to a man who is giving it to his father as a birthday present, which made me very happy - not only for the sale, but because a picture of mine will bring happiness to a father and son.

Father & Sons 1

B

March 15, 2009

Treasure Island Beach

I absolutely love where I live, and having the most beautiful beaches in the world just a couple miles away is a big reason.

This is where we spent today - Treasure Island beach in Laguna.









-- Post From My iPhone

A Day at The Swap Meet

A favorite way for us to spend a weekend day is to go to the Orange County Marketplace, also known as the swap meet.









































-- Post From My iPhone

Is It Possible To Revisit The Past?

Anyone with even a slight case of separation anxiety knows how hard it is to let people who were once a big part of your life slip away into oblivion. I mean, after all, how can you be comfortable with not knowing what's going on in their lives, and whether or not they're healthy and happy?

In this day and age of very accessible search engines and social networking websites I have found that re-locating those missing friends from my past is not really that difficult...and so far, so good; I've found everyone I've looked for.

That's the good part.

Has it always been everything I'd imagined it would be?

No.

For some reason the old school friends, and aquaintances of mine from my earlier years (I'm not saying how long ago, and that in itself should tell you it's been a looong time) have become different people.

Where the heck did my friends go, and who are these imposters who vaguely resemble my friends, but are definitely different people?

The shy girl who had the "thing" with the older man wasn't too much of a shock. She's still with him and is mother to SEVEN kids, and isn't really interested in anything besides her brood.

Hmm. Nothing in common there anymore.

My super good friend who always wore the coolest lip gloss and had awesome long blonde hair, and was dating the football star, became a mailman (woman?) in the deep south and was very open with her disdain for her ne'er do well daughter. She was also open about how Mr. Bigpants football jock used to work off his aggressions by knocking her around. I got the feeling that this ended the innocence and excitement in her life.

I remember that we spent a wonderful week hiding out on the Sunset Strip when we were 16, and I would've never imagined what the future held for her, nor would I have dreamed those few days were the absolute pinnacle of her life.

We spoke a few times and promised to visit each other, but I knew that this sad and broken spirit and I had nothing in common anymore, and that we'd most likely never speak again. When I think of her I can still hear her saying, "Why do you sound so happy?" making me feel guilty for not being sad and dissatisfied with my life.

So what's the point of this story?

It's happened again.

I found another of my good friends I had lost contact with. We spoke last night and again, another imposter. The conversation was awkward and uncomfortable, and although I assured her we'd be getting together soon to catch up, I really (and sadly) have no intention of following through. H says we drift away from certain people for a reason, and I guess he's right. We have nothing in common except some faded memories of happy youth.

I guess life should be lived in the present.

B





-- Post From My iPhoneivw



March 13, 2009

Feeling Lucky?

This recession has everyone scared and depressed at best, and has created homelessness and poverty at worst.

If you're not feeling like you're able to donate any money, there are other ways to help. An easy, fast and cheap way is to merely clean out your closets of clothing you no longer need (especially socks and warm items), old blankets, old jeans, and if you go through your pantry or cupboards I'm sure you can find some canned or pasta items, stuffing mixes, or whatever, that you can donate. Most of the shelters would be happy to come get it if you don't have transportation to go there to drop off.

Try it - even a few items would help warm someone who lives out on the street, or help to feed them a much needed meal. Charity donations are way down, and I saw an interview with one of the shelter employees who said that they're seeing donors of the past now coming and asking for donations themselves.

We need to remember those who have been hit hard, and show our thanks by sharing what we have. Anything is better than nothing.

B

Breakfast of (This) Champion

Thought I'd share my Friday breakfast with everyone. This may look like a chocolate smoothy or milkshake, but it's really a yummy and healthful drink that REALLY gets me going.

I have a personal boycott of dairy products (I feel it's a cruel industry) so I use regular or low fat vanilla Silk, then I add some instant coffee, artificial sweetener (I use pink), "no sugar added" chocolate Instant Breakfast, 2 bananas, and a little non-dairy powdered creamer (to thicken). Toss in about 5 or 6 ice cubes and blend until creamy.

Salud!


--

March 12, 2009

The View From My Window

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day today!


-- Post From My iPhone

March 11, 2009

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Just finished watching this silly little movie and I am SO missing my Doberman. She's been gone for a few years now and although I love my little Min Pin, I would give anything to have my Dobie back.

How did I get onto the topic of my Doberman? One of the "characters" in the movie was a huge viscious black Dobie named Diablo. Anyone who has ever owned a Doberman knows that that's all bad press. They're the most intelligent, loyal and LOVING breed there is. So, unless you go out of your way to train these beautiful creatures to attack, you'll find they're actually the world's largest lap dogs.

At any rate, Beverly Hills Chihuahua is a funny little movie with a happy ending. Dog lovers will like it simply because of all the cool dog tricks.

No Mas.




-- Post From My iPhone

The View From My Window

I've decided to start a new regular item on my blog...The View From My Window.

It'll be just that; random views from my various windows, just to give you an idea of my day-to-day world. Most of the time the windows will be from my home or while in a car, but on my especially cerebral days they may be from the window of my soul. Who knows. I've never been big on self-restriction, so you get what you get.










-- Post From My iPhone

A New Toy


A couple posts ago I was lamenting about how I just hate when things don't work. In that case it was the new iPhone app that would allow me to blog via my iPhone.

Today as I took a break to do a little app shopping I discovered a new release of an app for blogging.

YAY! This one works!

So the plan is that I'll be updating much more frequently. And since I see a little camera icon it's looking real good for adding lots of cool photos to go along with my posts. If you're a visual type (as I am) that's the frosting on the cake.

Fingers crossed!

B

-- Post From My iPhone

March 06, 2009

Evan is Two!

I don't know how many of you remember that I took birthday celebration photos for Evan's first birthday last year. I was so happy to meet his parents, who are really nice, nice people, as well as his grandparents who came from the East Coast to help celebrate his big milestone birthday.

Well, quick as a wink, Evan is now a happy little two-year-old! I was thrilled when his mom, Lillian, contacted me and asked that I photograph his second birthday. I was also looking forward to seeing how much he had changed and grown over the past year. The family was all together again, and this year I got to meet Evan's Uncle Richard, who I thank for helping me out of the quicksand! LOL!

I was NOT disappointed! What a doll he is, and he was loving the beach like only a child can. It's wonderful to see the world through a child's eyes, all fresh and new and terrifically exciting. I also have to admit that I love watching the interaction between Lillian and her son. There is just absolute pure unguarded love there, and it is my pleasure once again to record it.

Here are a few of my favorites from the day...










Happy Birthday, Evan!

B

March 04, 2009

Exhibit - John Wayne Airport

Well, all good things must come to an end, and that includes my solo exhibit at Orange County Airport (also known as John Wayne Airport). I thank all of you who made it down to see my exhibit, and I really appreciate your effort and support.

To those who weren't able to see it in person, you can see the pictures HERE on my website.

The curator, Jeff Frisch, was great to work with, and it's an experience I'll never forget.

Now let's see what I can get going for the future!

B