Connections Part One: Inspiring TED talk…

Through my connection with my good friend, Helynn, I watched this TED talk by Brene Brown.  It definitely hits home, as I think being vulnerable is the hardest thing to do in most circumstances.

Watch this video when you have a minute. I hope it inspires you to seek that connection with another being in our world and to live whole-heartedly.

 

My lil’ adventurer.

As promised, here are the photos from the weekend my little sister, Erin Kaiser, came to visit and have her senior portraits taken.

It is always amazing to see someone grow up and become the unique person that they are.  My sister does not fall short of brilliant and unique in so many ways.  The weekend was filled with laughs and I got the chance to share the incredible things the Bay Area has to offer.  (i.e. delicious food!)  I don’t know if I am always the best scenic hostess when people come to visit because for me it’s all about the gourmet yet everyday food we enjoy in this part of the country.  From the freshest of seafood to downright devilish ice cream… we had it all.  We threw in a few movie nights and of course gossip love-life chats and the midnight viewing of Harry Potter for kicks.  We even made it down to Santa Cruz to enjoy the day on the boardwalk with a frozen chocolate dipped banana.

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Getting there, where exactly?

I’ve been lagging here.  I know. No excuses.  I’m going to make it happen from now on. Even if it means one photo in a post.

Things I’ll be posting in the near future:

My lil’ sister’s visit for Senior Portraits and FUN!

Thesis development with Diabetes subjects

Storytelling and Artistic Development

Costa Rica (oh me oh my)

But for now here is just a little teaser of what’s going on….

 

 

Taking a moment.

Breathe.  Something I find myself saying inside my head frequently these days.

Time.  Something I feel slipping through my grasp every moment.

Productive.  A characteristic I question my capability of being.

Purposeful.  Is what I am doing with my life….?

At the moment, this photo is where I escape to: physically and mentally.

Check back in a few weeks and I’ll let you know if I’ve ever come back.

Santa Cruz, Natural Bridges Beach

Fast Forward: Brain Hurricane

As a somewhat, storm cloud hovering over my brain, I have started a project to help me get moving in the direction of my thesis project (YIKES) that I will be presenting this summer.

So looking for inspiration, I have asked strangers to tell me one word that inspires them everyday.  On the spot, that’s got to be a little nerve-wrecking.  But these are the first few subjects that put themselves on the line (and in front of the camera) for me.

Special thanks to the awesome baristas and staff at Remedy that made these shots.  It was great to meet you all!

Thanks again!

Getting Cozy again in Chicago

Holiday Cozy 2010 - Chicago, IL

Another year and another anxiously awaited Holiday Cozy with the girls.  I hope this never ends, the one time a year when we all set aside a weekend to catch up even if its just for a few hours out of an entire year.

Last year was so much fun and this year was nothing but the same.

Jenna hosted us all at her apartment in downtown Chicago, Illinois, which was beautifully adorned for the season and the occasion with a tree, lights and decor to match.

Amanda made her champagne cranberry vodka 7-up cocktail to pep up the crowd and I’m pretty sure the dips (Mal’s bean dip to be precise) were devoured in minutes and I have to say Jenna’s white chocolate/peanut covered grapes were to die for.

This time every year we hang up our jobs, responsibilities and worries, store away school projects and such to remember those crazy years we spent living together under the same roof.  We remember those times we can’t really remember and laugh about times gone by but still shape who we are today.

Ok enough sap-age. I loved every oh-so-short minute I got to spend with the friends I’ll always be grateful for, thanks girls!

TOTT

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Day Two: Treasure Island Musicality

She & Him

I can’t say much more than happy shiny music was on tap for day two at TI.  But I will say that Zooey Deschanel didn’t disappoint when it came to gleeful pick-me-up music. She’s way past the Christmas carols in Elf and has way more to offer the music industry.  Even though the weather was disagreeable and somewhat frigid, they managed to bring on the sunshine (or so to speak).

Looking through the crowd

Next in the line up was Broken Social Scene, a band complete with a trumpet, trombone and various backup singers to complete their textual eclectic sound.

Broken Social Scene

The National quickly became one of my favorite shows of the night.  His music emoted sadness, pain, love, etc throughout the entire venue.  If you haven’t listened to Matt Berninger’s voice and lyrics, do it now.  The band, originally formed in Cinncinati, Ohio wasn’t one of the headliners but definitely should have been.  A few of my favorite songs of the show wereL Terrible Love and Slow Show.

The National

Matt Berninger

"It's a terrible love and I'm walking with spiders"

Finding Melodic Treasure Day One

This summer was a music festival myriad.  The last one of the season was the Treasure Island Music Festival here in San Francisco.  This first shot was taken from the bucket seat at the top of the ferris wheel over looking the island, which is in the middle of the bay between San Francisco and Oakland.  It’s two days long and this year was freezing cold with spitting rain every once and a while.

The first set of photos below are of a group called Die Antwoord.  They’re a hip-hop group from South Africa. made up of three members.  Their stage presence combined with socially and politically stigmatized lyrics made for a good start to our festivities.

Secondly is the group Kruder and Dorfmeister.  They were definitely a pleasant surprise to the lineup with their electronic feel.  The DJ booth was a nice touch in the back too.

After the sun was completely gone, Miike Snow came on and let’s just say the smoke machine as well as the fog from the bay created these awesome visual effects.

Then finally the main headliner of the day was LCD Soundsystem. Needless to say there were just a few shots from this last performance.  This year proved to be better than expected.  The first day was definitely the electronic/hip hop/DJ set of artists.

The brilliant (Geneva) sky.

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I’ve been cleaning out the photo closet this weekend in between my late, late night/early morning night photography adventures. For some reason the sky has been particularly interesting and colorful this weekend, so when I was going through my photos from Geneva, Switzerland I was drawn to these photos of a few sunsets over Lac Leman.  (Lake Geneva)

My next post will probably be a few photos from the skies here in the East Bay area.  Stay tuned.

 

Food. It’s necessary. To photograph.

Salted Home Grown Chile Peppers

Thematically my next post if going to consist of the wonder-o-city that is food in the Bay Area.  You really cannot go wrong when it comes to dining out or finding really great produce here in this part of the country.  Of course my camera cannot capture enough of the essence of each dish packed into one photo but here goes.  With Thanksgiving coming up and the feast that will come from the famous American holiday, I am sure that there will be many more food photos to come after the holiday.

For now, while I’m playing catch up, Ill just give you all a lil’ taste of the fabulous flavors that I frequently partake in out here.  Simple flavors from natural places.  Along the same lines of simple, small and natural, farmer’s markets. Go to them, frequent them, cherish them.  (No more preaching but seriously, do it.)

Homegrown is so good. I may turn into a tomato and anyone that knows me won't be surprised in the least.

Also homegrown from a tree in our backyard. Squeeze me.

Lots of Sautee and Steamed Goodness

 

 

Crispy outside and fluff potato inside

Read the previous post for gauging my love for these creatures.

End a fabulous meal with...

Or these. Apparently they're a big deal.

Still addicted. Still searching for the next better cup.

Take a whiff. They're screaming, please do not put us in the freezer or fridge.