iphone

I admit that I now take more photos with my iPhone than with my regular camera. I don't categorize myself as one of "those people" and I don't really mind that it's become so popular; it's fun. But I thought I would still post things as usual for the few people who come here to see photos - to give You something. It happens so fast, I'm somewhere and I see something and I don't have my camera with me - so I use my phone. The world is dripping photos now with all that is out there, and me and my images pose as a tiny contribution to that constant precipitation.

checking in

From time to time I will go back to the small town of Blanco where I grew up. Since my parents moved from there almost 7 years ago, I have lost touch with the place. But it is so fascinating and satisfying to go back to the places that I have trekked over, made a memory in, worked at, or observed in quietness. The grocery store, Super S Foods, is a place that has not changed much over the years, and I wandered in and was immediately swept up with old visions and smells. I was lucky to get the checker, Randall, to pose for me. Perception and memory is a concept I'm interested in, and hope to shoot more things revolving around this personal experience.

Poem 1.9.12

Time & Place

I wake up, a two hour nap. To soft music through the walls

Inside another room. The lights on the floor, the fading gray rain

Winter light coming down. What time is it?

Dreams dreams, states of here and there. What is the past?

I search for you, to make sure you are safe and that you recognize me.

Being drawn down the old dirt road, in between two worlds that

I know well. All confused, all clear.

Awake now, quiet whispers as the night rises up and says

Goodbye to the eve. Always beginning again, perfect timing

And indecision. Love of one good thing can be enough.

scissortail savories & sweets is here!

I took these for my friend KJ, her real name is unpronounceable, for her new business Scissortail Savories & Sweets. I much prefer taking pictures of people, but she asked if I'd take a few of her baked goods as well so I said of course. She makes the best dag gun crust you've ever had, as well as a lemon cream pie. I'm very proud of her for launching out on her own, takes a lot of you know what. We had a great time doing this, and that's all that matters to me.

long time gone

This time last year, I was struggling with happiness and being back from Armenia. No one can watch time float by until it's appropriate to look back on it. And even then, it's always frightening at how fast it goes and sometimes how little things change. But it has been a full year, and looking back feels necessary.

I wrote this back in late January or early February 2011. It is the very first, and only, poem I've written. I want to continue writing poetry this year and experience the magic that happens when the attempt is made.

Poem No. 1

My brain tired, from too much to process

memories and lives lived, it is a beautiful mess.

A road merges with the fork I had to take.

Something from the past comes back to hold my hand,

but I don't know who or what it is. I don't know where to stand.

My center is protected, but that feels lonely.

Those who do not know, cannot fully

make me laugh brightly or lie down in comfort.

And the search carries on, for more, for less. For calm winds

and wild adventure. For wet passion, for perfect control.

For secrets, for the missing.

Ava

My year and a half old niece, Ava. She is coming into her personality with full force, and watching it unfold is an experience I'm happy to be a part of. I caught her taking a bath - splashing, laughing and generally rejoicing to be in the bathtub. I had just as much fun taking her picture.

nau's now + the others i took

This is what I have so far. Some days I didn't take a photo at all, some days I did. I gave up being strict on myself, and considered that taking a photo a day can be a process too. A trial and error process. I'm not exactly done, a few more days to go yet, but it's certainly been a good reminder to take the camera with you.

albert

Albert. He's 19, and an artist. I have been wanting to take his picture for awhile now. So glad I got to.

curious

She brought her son out on the track while she studied a spiral notebook. It's like a park after 5, and all kinds of people use this track like it was one. Staying safe behind his Mom.

sleepy morning

Cherokee in the morning, big yawn, big stretch. Thank you Patrick for bringing her to me. I really love this little girl.

old fashioned

This is Corey - I work with him at the Paramount Theatre. He was combing his hair before the show, getting ready for the crowd. He has a very cartoon like face, sweet eyes, and an old fashioned way about him. Wears his Grandfather's shirts and tie clips, bringing back the magic.

november photo a day

I'm doing it again. It's off to a great start already....I'll be posting soon to catch up. Ah, November.

mirror mirror

Trying on outfits for Halloween. Looking in the mirror, watching how time shows up on our faces and in our lives. Another October just about come and gone. On to the next reason to celebrate, the next event to remember.

beers with ms morris

Having a few beers with my friend Emily Morris last night. I met her last year at a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer happy hour. We have completely opposite stories as she served in Senegal and never experienced a frozen toilet and wells of vodka, but there's a lot of similar thoughts and emotions around development and lifestyles that we share from having done it. She's getting her Masters in Public Health here at UT, and just smokes away on American Spirits. I love it.

a little time in oregon

It was great to see my friend Emily from Peace Corps, but even better to see her in her own environment and witness the beauty of Oregon. She took me on a tour of the Western/Central part of the state from the very sleepy but hip city of Portland, through the Columbia River Gorge, down to the Willamette Valley where dozens of perfectly arched vineyards poured over the hills, and then to the rugged coastal town of Newport where the Pacific's cold waves launched into the shore. Totally gorgeous.

I'm getting around America, slowly, sort of in awe that ever part of our country has a different feel and vibe - searching for a place to call home one of these days.