Today I realized I'm never really going to get into Tacoma coffee culture. That must sound odd, since my day job is as a barista in a little cafe in Tacoma. I make a damn good cup off coffee and when I'm really on my game I can even make a little bear's face in the top if your cup. He's usually made of foam and sunshine and sarcasm. But I know I'm not going to be the *rock star* barista, because I'm not really pretentious enough to think specialty coffee is God's gift to humanity and … [Read more...]
rom com.
I just watched a romantic comedy and loved it. Then felt sick. Is it horrible of me to hate romantic comedies? I mean, I also love them. But mostly I hate them. And here's why: THEY ARE CRAP. Rom coms are what my friend calls "emotional porn." Gross, I know, but also you can get that, right? They are idealistic and outlandish in all the right ways for a girl to think real life is kind of a drag because there's no Ryan Gosling or Ryan Reynolds or basically any hot Ryan in her … [Read more...]
cue meltdown.
I think it's about time for an existential crisis.It's been a while since I had a really good meltdown, so I think I will renew my membership to the club of crazies who just can't figure life out RIGHT NOW.Here's the deal (all four of you reading this):I don't know what I'm about any more.Or what the heck I want to do with my life.(I'm not even talking long-term, like career goals and life-choices. I'm talking, "what am I going to DO WITH MY LIFE THIS WEEEEEEEEEEK?") Commence intermittent crying … [Read more...]
I Am From – Sychroblog
Joining the SheLoves sychroblog today, with a poem to celebrate heritage.I AM FROM I am from warm comforters and no heat.I am from hiding from the noise and dreaming of new lands.I am from small rooms and smoke from a dirty chimney.I am from a swampy backyard and a great big evergreen,sturdy enough to climb and high enough to hide in.I am from barefoot summers and somber winters.From the beach and the woods. I am from crowded Thanksgivings and restless Sabbaths.I am from tired … [Read more...]
thirteen weddings.
You've seen 27 Dresses, right?This year is my very own 27 Dresses. (Only, my hair isn't as sexy as Katherine Heigl's and so far James Marsden hasn't come to sweep me off my feet.)This year I was invited to a record-breaking 13 weddings. THIRTEEN. And these aren't just acquaintances, these are good friends all getting married in the same year. Granted, I did photograph one of the weddings, but I would have been in attendance anyway.13.Thirteen gifts.Thirteen sets of vows.Thirteen awkward seating … [Read more...]
exhausted. yes. words.
I'm exhausted these days. I've taken on a few too many projects all at once and I'm feeling it in my wonky hip and my heavy eyelids and my heavier heart.I say yes because I really do believe in these things and I really want to make them shine.I also said yes because secretly I hope that at the end of the project there will be someone grinning and saying, "You did it! We're so proud. You are incredible." Yeah, lame, I know. I know. Pardon me, but this blog post is about to take a very … [Read more...]
listless.
I'm feeling listless.There are actually a TON of things on my plate, waiting to be finished. But I needed to take a short break to blog. And since I'm feeling listless, I thought I'd create some lists.7 things I've never done:1. Used a Blue Tooth device2. Gone skiing3. Paid for a haircut4. Gotten drunk5. Read a single word of Harry Potter6. Wielded a machete7. Kissed a man smack dab on the lips7 things I have done:1. Kissed the hands of an elderly woman2. Picked up a hitch-hiker3. Danced in a … [Read more...]
Holding My Ground
Originally posted at SheLoves Magazine. I look like the kind of girl who can stick up for herself. I guess I am the kind of girl who can stick up for herself. But, more often than I’d like to admit, I cave instead of stand. I bend like a blade of grass on a windy day. Unless you’re related to me, I’m not really going to fight back. Probably. I learned early that being tough, even when you’d rather cry, was the way to survive. But last month I let my guard down. Way down. I wrote … [Read more...]
Telling My Story
Originally posted at SheLoves Magazine. “You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should’ve behaved better.” ~Anne Lamott I’m going to write my memoir. No really, I am. Maybe I’ll start next week. This is what I keep saying, but I just can’t write it. I’m frozen. Swirling inside this confused introvert/extrovert brain of mine is a story so powerful and heart-breaking and hilarious that I’m pretty sure … [Read more...]
Flying, For Real
Originally posted at SheLoves Magazine. Let’s talking about soaring, for real. Let’s talk about airplanes. I love flying. (I know Americans throw out LOVE all the time when they don’t mean it, but I mean it. I think I have a tangible infatuation with flying—resulting in heart palpitations and sweaty palms and silly grinning.) Perhaps my love of flying is because it’s the first step to a great expedition. Or maybe it’s that I get to participate in a grand rebellion against gravity … [Read more...]
Right Now, I Am Enough
Originally published at SheLoves Magazine. There are a million insecurities in my world that make me wonder if I’m ever going to be good enough. Is my photography good enough? My writing? My music? My art? Have I said the right things at the right times? But for all my insecurities that make me feel like I’m not enough, being single isn’t one of them. Confession: Like most single women I have thought (maybe even agonized) about what exactly went wrong with me that kept me single. Then I … [Read more...]
wreck.
I am a train wreck.Correction: I am a CAR wreck.One week ago, today, I crashed my car. The combination of the Pacific Northwest's finest downpour coupled with a predictable bottle-neck in 405 North and topped with an inconvenient time to be changing radio stations resulted in a flood of brake lights and my silly car sliding, hydroplaning, skidding and ultimately crunching into the car in front of me.You might, if you are the generous sort, say that it was a combination of poor timing and bad … [Read more...]
I Love Technology—Always and Forever
Originally posted at SheLoves Magazine. “I love technology, but not as much as you, you see. But I still love technology—always and forever.”–Kip, Napoleon Dynamite Yes, just like Kip, I love technology. Always and forever. I don’t just love technology because it makes my life so very convenient—calling, texting, Facebook, email, GPS all in one pocket-sized device? Brilliant. Nope, that’s not my real reason. I love technology because I love connectivity and community. There … [Read more...]
perspective.
Sometimes joy is all about perspective. Today Rachael lost her wallet somewhere in Oslo, Norway. Amongst all our adventures there must have been a moment when the silly yellow square of fabric decided it wasn't interested in photographing naked baby statues or lounging in the grass or eating spicy tuna rolls at Parken Sushi. And so it wandered off and took her money with it. I should be stressed and confused and frustrated. But I'm not. Because seven weeks ago I was hit by a UPS truck and … [Read more...]
Benj.
Men and women can't be friends.This is what I'm told. And for the most part I'm inclined to agree. But what happens when you are?I am traveling through Iceland with my friend Benj. And we are just friends.No, seriously.Just.Friends.To say I'm not attracted to Benj would be a bold-faced lie and an insult to my sensibilities as a woman. And also to Ben's dashing good looks.But that's about it.We bond over photography and facial piercings.We differ over religion and a hundred other important … [Read more...]