Dreaming again

Do you ever dream that you are waking up? Sometimes, in the morning, when I need to get up but can't yet, I'll start to dream that I am waking up, getting out of bed, and going into the bathroom. But then I'll realized that the bathroom that I am in is very different from the real bathroom in my apartment. So I'll try it again. I'll get up, walk into the bathroom...no, still not right. When I slept in a loft bed I would be convinced that this time I really was getting up, going down the ladder, I could see each step, feel my body moving. But then I'd get to the bathroom, and it just wouldn't be right. I'd have to start all over. Sometimes I'll go through this 8 or 10 times before I really do wake up.

I reminds me of a nightmare I used to have as a kid, where I'd be in this huge house with lots and lots of rooms. I was lost and scared. So, I'd start to look for my parents room. "I just need to go up the stairs, to the end of the hall, the door on the left," I'd think. I wanted to wake up and really go to my parent's room, but instead I'd just try to go to it in the dream. It was the same helpless feeling, where I was trying so hard to really do something, knowing the steps to do it, but not being able to really get it done.

Once I dreamed that my bedroom, which is on the 4th floor of an apartment building, had a back door that lead out to a grassy hill. People were picnicking and enjoying the day. I wish that were true.

Today I'm 28

Well, actually it's 12:00 am, so technically yesterday I turned 28. I was telling my friends at dinner that I've already been telling everyone most of this year that I was 28, because I got mixed up. Which is really too bad, since I like the odd years better, and 7s are especially great, so I missed making the most of being 27. (Or at least thinking that I was. If you're following this, congratulations. I know it isn't easy.)

I've always loved birthdays. I hope that I always do. I think it's wonderful to progress--to start another year of life. It's also a great time to celebrate yourself, and pamper yourself.

It isn't quite the same being far from family for a birthday. Luckily I was with family a couple weeks ago, and had a joint birthday party with my aunt. My family tends to extend and re-celebrate birthdays anyway, making them last most of the month. It's a good tradition. Maybe I'll celebrate again at Thanksgiving.

Last Friday I went with a few friends to a dance concert as a birthday outing, and tonight two good friends and I had dinner together at a Moroccan restaurant. I announced that I wanted dessert since it was my birthday. Actually I always want dessert, but it was nice to have a good reason. R did tell the waitress, discreetly, that it was my birthday. So she put a candle in the scoop of ice cream on my piece of cake. But she didn't sing, which I appreciated. It was a nice, subtle touch.

Well, here's to another year. Tonight started out fabulously.

Some of the best portraits...

just happen.

These photos weren't taken with great lighting, or in a great location, or with any direction or styling on my part. We were just spending time together, and I happened to have my camera and got a shot. Even people who weren't there when they were taken somehow see a bit of the personality, love, and connection between the subjects (and the photographer.)

This first one was taken 2 years ago, when these two were newly engaged. They've now been married over a year.



This is much more recent, taken in June. J. and N. were engaged then, and K. is N.'s daughter. J. and N. just got married last Friday.



as J. said, "This is my life now." I'm glad that they are all a part of my life, too.

my kind of houseplant

It seems that I've been over-watering my cactus...



can you find the friend that's moved in?

Tour de Manhattan

Cycling is my family sport. My dad doesn't watch football games, he watches the Tour de France.
My dad, brother, and I used to ride the local bike trails on weekends. Our favorite was the path that ran up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls. In college, I started regularly riding the Jordan River Trial, along the river all the way out the to lake. Riding next to the water, with tree hanging above, was so much better than riding on the asphalt trying to avoid car fumes on the way to campus and back.
Now that I live in NYC, I enjoy riding the bike trail along the Hudson River. It does get me closer to the water and away from the cars. I need to make time for it more often.
These photos were taken by my good friend and fellow photographer Elizabeth Leitzel last summer.

The Day the Garlic Press Died

So, I was cooking lentils today, and wanted to add some garlic and onions. I got out my garlic press, and a bulb of garlic. One clove went through fine, but when I put in the second clove to press, the press cracked! I didn't cut off the tough end, like I usually do, and I guess it was just too much for the press. I'm sad, because I got this garlic press when my oldest (though younger than me by 18 months) brother came to visit me 7 years ago--has it really been that long? I was a sophomore in college, and he was shocked to find that I didn't own a garlic press. (He cooked for me while he was there. Weeks later I found all my hot pads on top of the refrigerator. Which, since he is 6'6" is probably a reasonable place for him to keep them.) So he, my best friend/roommate, and I went out and bought a garlic press.

We didn't get a fancy one that doubled back to clean itself. We just got a basic one. And today it died. A noble death. At least no pieces ended up in the lentils. (I hope!)

I *heart* film

Got some film back from the lab recently that I shot with my holga camera. It's a toy camera that both amateurs and professionals embrace, as it can create fun effects like vignettes, light leaks, and double exposures. It's also very lightweight and easy to carry around. But to get to the point, shooting with film is fun--I love the suspense of waiting to get the picture back and see what's there. You can have happy accidents, like this,



where two different exposure overlap with a beautiful effect.

It was a lot of fun photographing J & N. K wasn't being so cooperative, but I had fun photographing her on the trampoline.









Can your digital camera do that?