Wonder Net

new is new

2010-10-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

It's been 8 months since I decided to move back North. That seems crazy. Seems like I just got here in ways, and seems like I never left in other ways. Time is always tricky like that. I figure what makes me feel like I just got here is that I continue to be overcome by moments of "newness." Even though my life up here has succumbed to bits and pieces of routine and monotony, it doesn't drag on me the way it has previously. I'm not sure how long that will last. Maybe it takes a year. Or maybe it will go on and on since I will never be native to this place. I think about this a lot. And, I am grateful for this a lot. I decided to take a few photos on one particularly monotonous day at work. These are some things that are often around me, and boring as they may be, I am thankful to see them.

o-hio

2010-09-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

The countdown for this Big trip used to be months, then weeks, then days, soon hours.
I am short on time, but full to the brim on the inside and think I should do a an Ohio post before those hours tick by, and then the days, and then the weeks, and it never happens.

The last few days in Ohio were the kind of days you can't describe with plain words. The images I have won't do it justice, either, but it's a start.

[evening drive // Hocking County, Ohio]

[Loch Loafin at Stony Broke // Hocking County, Ohio]

[Jack's Steakhouse // Hocking County, Ohio]

[The Annual Hocking County Fair // Hocking County, Ohio]

home is where the heart is

2010-09-10T15:52:00.001-07:00

Good heavens, I have been a terrible blogger lately. I am going to place blame on the following things:

1. I have traveled to Colorado twice in the last month.
2. I lost my camera for a while.
3. Waldo spilled water on my computer.
4. I go to work, and then I cut paper at night.
5. I leave in 4 days for ArtPrize. (holy shit).
6. I moved in with David and we do not have internet at home (first on the list of things to do when I get back from Michigan).

There. I promise things will get better.

On another note...I loved last weekend. Here are some things I am going to blame for that:

1. That I walked in on you and Sam multiple times drinking wine and watching movies.

2. That we all somehow keep maintaining the ability to all be in the same place at the same time every once in a while, even if the in-between times send us all over the place.

3. When you are the photographer for the weddings I am in. We should be some sort of combo package or something.

4. Singing on the roof top.

5. Blue hair and blue tights.

6. Being your accomplice for Todd's photo surprises.

7. That you have a cane.

8. No shoes, No service.

And many more, I'm sure.....

It's funny that the next time I visit, it's entirely possible neither you or Sam will be there. I think I am almost as excited as you guys about your road trip (especially since Moscow is on the route). I'm excited to hear about the people you meet and the places you fall in love with. Likewise, I am excited to hear about some misfortune and strange people as well (as long as they are harmless). I wonder where you will land after the trip. So much unknown!

Returning from Colorado this time I really felt like I was coming home rather than leaving home. I love this nook of the country, and the people I know here, and the boyfriend and dog I live with. I never would have imagined any of it, which is what makes it all so exciting. So much is always about to happen.

homegrown

2010-09-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

She thinks my tractor's sexy.

[Raton, NM, August 2010]

around about october

2010-09-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

I liked it when you were here.
And I really like that scrambled eggs song.
When are you going to put a recording of that up on WN?

See you in Moscow, round about October.

2640

2010-08-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

I am still melancholy about leaving that little house.

broke down

2010-08-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

[broken down 15 miles outside of Alamogordo, NM]

the way that blue sky fades

2010-08-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

We leave today for New Mexico a trip that will take us to Raton, Santa Fe, White Sands, and Vermejo.
I will always love New Mexico.

Heading To Santa Fe -- Samantha Crain:

McCarthyism

2010-08-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

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One of the first interviews Cormac McCarthy ever gave, to the NY Times in 1992.
Read the whole thing through, but this is one of my favorite paragraphs:

Since 1976 he has lived mainly in El Paso, which sprawls along the concrete-lined Rio Grande, across the border from Juarez, Mexico. A gregarious recluse, McCarthy has lots of friends who know that he likes to be left alone. A few years ago The El Paso Herald-Post held a dinner in his honor. He politely warned them that he wouldn't attend, and didn't. The plaque now hangs in the office of his lawyer.

matters of the heart

2010-08-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

I've been cramming at night to get my giant paper cut done for ArtPrize which happens just over one month from now (yikes.) Tonight I have been spending some time on the TED website to keep my mind sharp (and awake). I listened to the talk below about love and cheating and thought it was necessary for your ongoing research on love and marriage.

p.s. my camera has been found and will soon be on it's way back to me. until then, you might be getting some more TED videos.

you were my feather

2010-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

The band Sam + I found ourselves watching and liking last night is called O'Holloran.
When you get to their MySpace listen to 'Oh to See a Picture.' That's the one I was telling you about.

note from ny

2010-08-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

I wrote this on the way home from visiting my Grandma in Geneseo, NY, and just never posted it.

________________

I'm writing this from the little Rochester airport, having just spent the last few days with Grammy Bow and Aunt Joyce in Geneseo, NY. Maybe it's age or maybe it's having lost people I love, but I am acutely aware of how limited my time is with the people I love, especially those people are 88 years old. I try to actively appreciate my time with GBow, mindfully absorbing her stories, mannerisms, nuggets of wisdom. That town is so infused with my family's history that it seems impossible to take a step in any direction without finding yourself face to face with an anecdote.

I've had a lot of time to think the last few days, mostly while sipping iced tea on the screen porch, the air thick with humidity, the insects and birds sounding distinctly more Eastern than the ones I'm used to. Of all the stories she tells -- and she tells many -- my grandmother talks about my grandfather the most. These stories usually are about the early days, when they were courting, or just married, or when my dad and aunt were small. If we are at the house when she's telling these stories she brings out a creased envelope containing her favorite photographs of him and sets them out where she can see them while she talks. She talks about the first time she saw him, about what he was wearing and the exact words he said. She talks about the floor plan of the first tiny apartment they shared. She talks about my grandfather's hidden sentimentality. When pushed, she'll talk about other things, too. I asked her how he proposed and she said it happened one evening as he was driving her home from a date, and that he said it out of the blue. She said he was shaking he was so nervous, but that his face was stone. That sounds like him. She said yes. I asked what happened next, and she laughed and said, "What do you think happened next?" I'm not sure what that means exactly, but there was a light in her eye when she said it.

When I think about my grandparents' relationship, especially in the last few years of his life, I don't remember any tenderness or affection. Maybe this was just because I wasn't privy to a sweetness that existed only behind closed doors. Or maybe things did get complicated and bitter at the end. In any case, I've wondered if maybe her losing him freed her to remember him the way she wanted to. It gave her ownership of their shared memories, allowed her to rewrite the past any way she liked.

Whatever the case, it's a hell of a love story. I hope I'm lucky enough to live a love story so great it sustains me when I am very old.

[Letchworth State Park, NY]

[Grandma Bow + Auntie Joyce, Letchworth State Park, NY]

[The Riviera, Main Street, Geneseo, NY]

[Main Street, Geneseo, NY]

[The Big Tree Inn, owned + operated by my grandmother and her family during WWII, Geneseo, NY]

[The Bar at the Big Tree Inn, Geneseo, NY]

[Graveyard near Geneseo, NY, where my grandmother's parents are buried as well as Bows who were buried as long ago as the 1700's]

[my grandfather, my grandmother's enduring love interest]

music with feeling

2010-07-24T05:58:00.000-07:00

I have a rather long post about my NY trip in the works, but in the meantime I'm going to post these musical suggestions while they're on my mind.

I've spent a lot of time the last few days reading, writing, thinking, and all the while listening to Chris Pureka + Dawes. Download these tracks next time you need some music with feeling.

on food

2010-07-21T01:04:00.000-07:00

I found something to rival the glory of eating food outside, and that is eating food you grow yourself.

This is my first tomato.

backyard

2010-07-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening:

i heart gingers

2010-07-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

The most significant adventure of the weekend: working the door and subsequently experiencing the mad energy that is hip hop legend KRS 1.
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Bathroom stall graffiti that rivals that one time I saw 'Follow Your Bliss' in a bar in Crested Butte:
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[women's bathroom // Cervantes // Five Points, Denver CO]

in defense of organized fun, just once

2010-07-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Sam + Ross + Ross' friend, Mark, collectively forced me to go to a Rockies' game this weekend.

I surprised myself by not hating it completely, organized fun that it was. I was pleased with the lighting, and with the drinking, and with exuberance on the part of the true fans.
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traffic jam

2010-07-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

While stuck in traffic on I-70:
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yelle

2010-07-09T21:56:00.001-07:00

Next time you are getting a little drowsy editing, I suggest you try giving Yelle a listen. It's one of my new favorites favorites.

some summer

2010-07-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

I realized the other day that this is the first time I have ever had a full time 40 hour work week kind of job. The good thing is that I don't really mind, seeing as though I play with plants all day. In between all the working, I have been able to do a few summer activity type deals. One of which was a peaceful trail ride in Idaho (It was only the second time I have been on a horse this year, and it felt good, real good): And the other was a brief cabin stay on Lake Coeur D'Alene. I was able to meet up with Shauna and family on her journey home to CO, and then David and I stayed at a little cabin he did some work on last summer. Best part, by far was the hour we spent on the dock the next morning throwing sticks to Waldo.

independence week

2010-07-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

I had two great adventures this week: first, the trip out to Pat's Wildlife Creations in the Poudre Canyon outside of Fort Collins, and second, the trip to Carter Lake outside of Berthoud to shoot a wedding.

[I-25 Northbound, just outside of Fort Collins]

[an especially lovely sunset at the house]

[Dale's furniture store, Berthoud CO]

[fireworks stand, Berthoud CO]

[gas station with no prices, Berthoud CO]

[fruit sale at Graci's Fruit Stand, Berthoud CO]

[Sam's note inviting our next door neighbors to our 4th of July shindig]

500

2010-07-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

This is our 500th post.
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[Roux, a taxidermied fox, and me; Pat's Wildlife Creations in the Poudre Canyon, CO]

prequel

2010-07-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

In front of Manual High School: Roux, just moments before she balanced a cherry pie on her head.
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shadow friends

2010-07-01T14:24:00.001-07:00

Every time I see a good shadow I think of you.

From our adventure today:
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rattlesnake lake

2010-06-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

from a short hike i took on the way back from seattle.

boys day

2010-06-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

When Waldo is really lucky he gets to spend the whole day with David. When I am really lucky, they have secret photo shoots with my camera.

In this next one, notice Waldo's cheeks.

raton rodeo 2010

2010-06-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

I have always remembered our summer of rodeos with equal parts fondness and nostalgia, so it was with genuine anticipation that I went to my first Raton Rodeo in five years.

Despite the way too much anticipation can result in a letdown this weekend was anything but.
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The day after:
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[deserted motel Raton, NM]

[open road just South of Walsenberg, CO]

[Prada in the Subaru, Southern Colorado]

house party

2010-06-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Images from a house party with the kids from a local band called the MTHDS.
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[carefully opening cheap champagne]

[boy named Joe; mutt named Mila]

documentarian

2010-06-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Taking photos with my phone has allowed for a different kind of documentary of my life, and I like using Wondernet as a depository for these collections. It is such a different kind of creative endeavor, taking photos with my phone, and I am finding that the more tired I get of using my Nikon to document other people's lives, the more I like using my little phone to document my own.
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[Denver, from I-25, at dusk in June]

bonnie and clyde

2010-06-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

thank you for being such a good blogger the last couple weeks, and i would like to apologize for my neglect. here's a little look at what i have been up too.

rick would be delighted to know that waldo is getting an abundance of "man time" now that David has come into our lives. waldo loves man time. sometimes man time is not good for his manners, but i think it is good for him nonetheless. just look at the adoration in his eyes (he is gazing up at David.)(waldo in David's front yard)
the other thing that has become a huge part of my life is gardening, seeing as how i work at a nursery and all. sometimes i persuade david to come to work with me (it's a fun place to be, so it's not that hard to persuade.) one such work day he earned an entire stock for his backyard garden. one of the best things about working with plants is seeing how much they change from day to day. i took this to document this garden in its baby stage.
last friday was the moscow art walk. david and i made an installation for the event (for any other readers out there, here is a link to an article about it bonnie and clyde ). in all honesty, david did most of the work for this project, so cheers to him.

off to seattle tomorrow for my lovely friend shauna's graduation. i'm looking forward to the 5 hour drive. there's nothing like a little road trip with good music and beautiful scenery to give you a little recharge.

i'm talking about a little place called aspen

2010-06-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

The original reason I wanted to go to Aspen was to see Ed Sharpe + the Magnetic Zeros, but the cosmos arranged for a sequence of other coincidences, including: 1) the infamous Food + Wine weekend in Aspen, 2) Sam befriending a group of hippies that live there, and 3) Logan's birthday. I've been shooting almost seven days a week, and haven't had a whole day without working in months, so this weekend was a much needed break. We were wild, and it felt good to be young and free.
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[Roux on the ride up]

[Glenwood Canyon]

[Driving to town with boys, open top Jeep]

[Moroccan Food + Wine party]

[Edward Sharpe + the Magnetic Zeros, Belly Up Aspen]

[Sam, walking to sushi dinner]

[sushi dinner, Kenichi]

[a collection of images from an all nighter:]

[Bloody Mary bar the next a.m.]

We missed you, Lolo.

beulah in vignette

2010-06-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

It was a nice coincidence that my discovery of the Droid photo app, Vignette, coincided with a drive to the Beulah Valley.

Also, my dad recently went through some boxes and left these treasures out for me:

This evening I took a shower outdoors and stood for a long time under the running water observing. Eventually I noticed a spider weaving her web in the rocks next to me and was totally entranced by the process. Isn't that so very Dillardesque of me?

whittier at noon

2010-06-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

I was asked recently by a photographer if they could take my picture. I'm still not sure I'm amenable to that idea, but it did remind me about the import of documentation and how lax I get about documenting my own life sometimes.
Also, being on the cusp of Big Change makes me want to document the way things are right now all the more.
So here are images taken on a dog walk today, at noon. This is how I look most days; no makeup, comfy clothes. This is how my neighborhood looks right now, early June, midday. This is how Roux looks pretty much always.

Another thing I've been thinking about lately is how when you're documenting something there are things that seem silly to say/write/photograph, but when you are looking back later you wish you'd kept better track.

So, for the sake of accurate record-keeping, right now I am:
1. shooting most every day of the week--people, dogs, couples, kids.
2. getting ready to launch a marketing solution for real estate agents; a project that is sufficiently boring to counterbalance the often creatively/emotionally draining task of taking photographs.
3. writing in my journal literally every day. i have filled three journals in the last year.
4. usually eating like a vegan.
5. living with kenny in the next room and sam in my bed.
6. running loops around the golf course most every day.
7. thinking often about central american beaches.
8. that is, when i'm not thinking about someone else.

papergirl

2010-06-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you already saw the link on my facebook, but I'll document it here too. I sent some of my folded pinwheels to a project in San Francisco called Papergirl, and it showed up on their blog! It's always funny to me to think of a set of eyes totally unrelated to me or my immediate world looking at something I created. I wonder what sort of thoughts it sends through their mind. I guess that's what keeps me going with the whole art thing. Knowing that I am sending some sort of communication out into the world. Anyway here is the link to Papergirl.

Art projects are majorly on the brain right now (I should be working on that right now, in fact.) David and I are putting together something for Moscow Art Walk (yikes, that is next week). I also have an online show that has to be ready in a week and a half. And, I'm now making a big paper cut piece for a show in Michigan in September. It's all very exciting, but also frightening because time seems to be sliding through my fingers like sand. Speaking of time, it won't be all that long before my Colorado visit. I will have been gone for half a year by that time! Isn't that completely mind boggling?!

Alright, I'm off to work on my project. This is where I am playing:

Langhorne

2010-05-29T10:45:00.001-07:00

I know I've been overloading you with music lately, but if you listen to anything let it be Langhorne Slim.

[You can create an account and download all three of these Daytrotter sessions free]

NM

2010-05-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day about how I bet someday when technology has advanced sufficiently people will try to recreate the way photos taken with phones look like the way we try to recreate the look of old film or Polaroids.

I didn't take my camera with me to New Mexico. There were moments where I sorely missed it (our up close visit with baby bison, for example), but it was also liberating, and that was worth it. The problem with doing something you love in exchange for money is that it inevitably becomes work and it's hard to separate that out even when it's personal.

Getting out of Denver felt really good. I need to do that more, especially now that everything is so green and the sky is so blue.
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gee golly

2010-05-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

well, hello. i feel like i haven't had a good sit down with my computer in weeks (which is why this entry is going to cover more than one event). it's nice to not spend as much time staring at my computer, but i do feel some sort of weird detachment. i guess that speaks to our generation's dependence on the ol' laptop. fascinating.

things at work have been wonderful, everything blooming and getting full. i'm starting to get more and more proficient at plant identification, which is obviously a very exciting thing. i've even started to form favorites. any sort of succulent or begonia falls in this category.

begonias:

Mary, Hanna, and I headed west for the Open Engagement conference in Portland two weekends ago. The whole weekend was a delight. Deep thinking with other socially concerned creative folks is very energizing. The featured presenters were pretty intriguing. Nils Norman was most notable to me. He spoke about the concept of Utopia, and also presented his research on Adventure Playgrounds. I also met a group of wonderful people who I'm sure will be future collaborators.

form the drive:
i had a chuckle when i saw this in a gallery window (the gallery is called Pony Club):
One of the new friends (but also old, as I met him in Minnesota at the Art Shanty project in 2009) is Jonas. We had no idea he would be at the conference but he was there to participate in the Wild Foraged Food cook off. He's somewhat of an expert at that. After the conference he decided to drive out to Palouse for a few days. During his stay he hosted a free soup dinner on main street.
And, finally....I had an unexpected day off from work Sunday, so David and I took the opprotunity to go camping in the Idaho wilderness.
It was a completely beautiful and restful trip with my two favorite boys.

(sorry for my inconsistency in capitalization, but i feel too lazy to go back and edit).

you wanted it

2010-05-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

you can download and read my thesis here.

finishing it feels a little bit like cutting off an appendage.

gift for your ears

2010-05-17T11:59:00.001-07:00

itchy though they may be.

next time you are home and it is a quiet evening, listen to both of these mixes.
they are just what you need.

ONE

and

TWO

(just download them and they should open in iTunes)

to your ears

2010-05-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit bewildered still, but the other evening I went to a really great concert in Pullman. I say that because Pullman is not the kind of place that usually hosts great concerts. I wasn't familiar with any of the bands pre-show, but I was banking on the fact that having no expectations would leave me pleasantly surprised. At the end of the show the lead singer of Shearwater said to the crowd "Hey, everyone follow us into this other room!" (there were probably around 100 people in attendance). So, we all shuffled back into a room with a grand piano and were serenaded with a beautiful unplugged end to a delightful evening.

You should check them all out for sure.

Wye Oak

Hospital Ships

Shearwater

This is a music video that you and Roux might both enjoy watching:

i've missed you.

2010-05-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

It has been far, far too long since I've contributed. I was sucked into a vortex of thesis writing and other nonmentionables.

In an effort to avoid writing a daunting catch-up post, I thought I'd share photos off my cell phone. In many ways they are more representative of my daily life than their "real" counterparts.

bathroom wall in a bar, Crested Butte, Colorado

evenings with Roux

the church I like

volunteer work, Stranahan's, Denver

lightspot in the Beulah cabin

hers & mine

thesis: completed

mornings with Roux

creative typography, Larimer, Denver

lately in my life

2010-04-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a little photo recap of the last few weeks:

so disheartening...

2010-03-29T20:16:00.001-07:00

doozie

2010-03-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

I've always had a fondness for bizarre sentences, especially when taken out of context. So, lately when I hear a little doozie I jot it down. I think you will appreciate this sampling from a sunny saturday sitting out on main street and the people of palouse:

-If I could write love letters I would write them to the wolves and horses.
-My dog is going to sit like that someday. Right now he thinks he is a funeral director.
-Oh there's the three legged dog club.
-I'm going to have to take that video off of youtube because my girlfriend thinks you look sexy.
-There should be a National Chalk Day
-Keeping things real here on E. Main?
-This is what Palouse used to be like, ray guns for everyone.
-It's a god damn beautiful day.
-Can I give you a hug and a kiss? Come on! Bring it!
-I'm going to get my care and load it up with garbage.
-I think your mom needs to get off facebook.
-Just drink a couple drinks, cry, and get over it.
-That's why he didn't stick around, because you didn't give it up.
-He just needs to be needed, Doreen.
-Where is that piece of shit? David, I'm down here at the thrift shop sweating my ass off. Where are you? Get your non-artist ass down here.

remembering las vegas

2010-03-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Remember how I went to that totally awesome party in Vegas? Some people who were there put this together:

airhorns & lasers from stillmotion on Vimeo.

From here on out, I want to always go to events put on by and attended by creative types.

because we both agree that documentation is important

2010-03-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

getting dirty

2010-03-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Remember that Cormac interview where he talks about the toothbrush showing up in the mailbox? I think about that a lot lately. He was referring to trust. Trusting that if you are doing and pursuing the things you believe in, somehow it will all work out. Even when he was broke and living in a shack, and had basically nothing, a toothbrush came in the mail. I've had a lot of toothbrushes in the mail lately. One of them being my new job.

When I decided to move back to Palouse I planned do some subbing at the schools, and probably find a random office job. Instead, I landed the perfect job. I work across the border in Idaho at a tree and plant nursery. I am covered in dirt at the end of each day. And, I am so happy. I've reached some incredible equilibrium that I didn't think possible. I work hard all day in a beautiful place with incredible people. When I leave work my brain is free and refreshed. I'm not sure how long I can ride this charming train, but I'm enjoying every second while it lasts.This is where I work on my shovel muscle. You should really see my muscles...
Almost every bit of space is filled with inspiring patterns or clusters of things. I love the green houses full of little baby plants. Tiny life yards.

right up my alley

2010-03-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

hipster puppies.

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white dungarees + zebras

2010-03-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

Remember Fanny + Bill?
They just tied the knot at City Hall. She wore white dungarees, which makes her my new hero.
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On a side note, this is a random image from the shoot I did in San Fransisco that I thought you'd appreciate:
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small town social practices

2010-03-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

I mentioned that I am working on a small publication for a conference in Portland this May (www.openengagement.info) in a previous post. So, in preparation I have been doing some research and searching for collaborators. One that I'm crossing my fingers for is Mr. Vernon from bon iver. His music has been strangely important to me over the last couple years, and now he is doing things in his home town that align with the theme of our publication. How perfect. Read this article, it's beautiful: http://www.thefader.com/2009/12/09/feature-bon-iver-the-son-and-the-earth/.

pinwheels

2010-03-01T19:27:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a window installation at the Palouse library. Part of it will include paper pinwheels on which Mary and I have written. We spent two hours the other night with hundreds of paper squares and anything that popped into our heads. Here's a little sampling...

travel buddy

2010-03-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

The full trip report is forthcoming.
In the meantime, here are a few quick Roux favorites.

In a thrift shop in Haight Ashbury, San Fransisco:
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And on Evan's front porch in Palo Alto:
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new, new.

2010-02-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

Life is chugging steadily along. I never cease to be amazed at how much goes on in this small little town. I've been here 12 days or so, and it seems like it's been months. Some highlights have been helping out with 2nd and 3rd grade girls basketball, singing at Open Mic and the town Variety Show, working on a new song, Bunco night with the ladies of Palouse, snowshoe adventures and my first moose sighting, Winter Olympics watching at the Tavern, and most recently farm sitting over the weekend. Mary and I were asked to feed some cows and stay at a farm nearby that has been in the family since the 1800's. It's funny to move into a small town where people have so much history and families go back for decades. And, it also feels like an honor to be accepted in by them all. It's incredible how many wonderful and interesting people I get to know by living here.

I continue to remain calm and collected during this transition, and I continue to remain surprised by that. I usually brace myself for at least a couple weeks of feeling crazy during the process of shifting. My brain almost feels like it went into some sort of shop and got patched up and fixed. I just feel a certain amount of steadiness and positive momentum that I haven't felt in a while. I'm trying to keep lots of projects on my palette, which is filling up pretty quickly. I've decided to turn the majority of my apartment into an installation. Why wait for gallery space when I've got plenty of empty white walls right here? Another project about to commence is a series of window installations beginning with my apartment and the thrift store, and eventually (hopefully) spreading down Main Street. Nik, Mary, and I are entering full swing on the publication we are putting together for Open Engagement, a conference we were accepted to be part of in May. So much to think about! No time for being sad anymore.

(couch donated by friends Nik and Jeanne. It belonged to Jeanne's Grandmother. She warned me that her Grandmother might move in with the couch....haven't seen her yet.)

(Beginnings of installation...)
(New favorite shoes)

(on the farm)
(borrowing the farmer's overalls)
(and the perfect portrait stump)

No Country for Old Typewriters

2010-02-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

If karma can't arrange a meeting with Cormac, I'd at least like his typewriter.
,

grab your bag and grab your coat

2010-02-05T15:26:00.000-08:00

After a long and stressful drive, we have landed in Palouse and are settling in. My car was on the verge of overheating for the entire trip, which was both a blessing and a curse. The blessing being that it kept me alert and able to drive 23 hours straight. Not planning to do that again anytime soon though.

So far, I have a strange calmness about being here, and I don't know if that is real or just me suppressing some other more anxious feelings. One of the best things about Palouse is that there is always something going on or something to take part in. Mary's friend Lisa is in town and she has been making a film during the 5 weeks she's been here. Waldo was lucky enough to play a small role wearing a white cape and running through the wintery wheat fields.

Detour

2010-02-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

A few photos from my three hour detour yesterday. [Woodland Park -> Sedalia, via Deckers. Not exactly the quickest route, but not altogether out of the way either, you'll be glad to know].

It was long, but it reminded me how much I love the feeling of going.

2010 Begin Again

2010-01-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well, hello Wonder Net, I've missed you. I don't know if there are any readers out there anymore...but you will serve as a means of communication between Claire and I yet again. I shouldn't have started this post right now, seeing as though it's late and I'm tired, but I had a hankering for a post. Current location: Flagstaff, AZ. Waldo, my mom, and I are down here for work/family visit. I'm making a painting for my aunt and uncle (photos upon completion), Waldo goes wherever I go, and my mom came to visit with family. Spending the early part of the week in Phoenix made me realize that someday, someday soon, I could be alright giving up winter. It's hard to beat leaves, green grass, and flowers in January.

More reflective writing to come, there is plenty of reflecting to do as I change directions and locations yet again. Waldo and I are Washington bound and we'll have landed in Palouse by the middle of next week (just in time for open mic!) One thing I know for sure already, is I feel like I can breathe again.

a new day, a new idea

2009-09-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

Alright, let's be honest...Wonder Net has been less than enthralling lately. Most of the blame can likely be put on the fact that Claire and I are now room mates, and it feels sort of silly to be corresponding in the same fashion that we did when we were states away.

But don't fret, you one, two, maybe three? readers out there. We are not dropping out we are just changing things up. In the event of any sort of major cleaning or moving it's nearly impossible to avoid reading all the old journals and letters (boxes and boxes of letters) you come across in the process. Claire and I have both been doing a bit of that lately and have been surprised at our own thoughts which have been stashed away on paper. Sometimes we are surprised by the hilarity, sometimes we are surprised by a shocking bit of wisdom. So, from day to day we will be posting snippets from these findings.

I'll kick things of with something light-hearted from this past summer in Carbondale:

"At dinner, Scarlett holds a fetal barn swallow in her hand. Yesterday she pooped in the front yard. I rode Stitch bareback during early dusk, trotting through clover up to his belly. True joy. Waldo tags along, and Sopris smiles. These are my days in this place and this summer."

we should proably join the society

2009-09-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

The other day I found myself with sometime to kill on the internet so I thought I would see what the latest is with old Cormac. Turns out there is an entire society.Not only can you learn so much about this beefcake from the website, but they even hold retreats dedicated to talking about him and his writing. Maybe we should split the dues and get in on that sh@*t.

if only

2009-08-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

....there was this same print for Ridgebacks....

still magic

2009-08-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

It's been nearly two weeks since I made the move to 2640, and just as you promised it proves to be a magical little place to live.

@shitmydadsays

2009-08-25T20:18:00.001-07:00

I've been resisting the Twitter craze, but this is exactly the kind of thing Twitter was invented for. Man oh man I am definitely going to be completely addicted to checking his updates. He simply records things his 73-year-old dad says, such as:

"Your mother made a batch of meatballs last night. Some are for you, some are for me, but more are for me. Remember that. More. Me."

"Your brother brought his baby over this morning. He told me it could stand. It couldn't stand for shit. Just sat there. Big let down."

Merry Christmas

2009-08-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the Christmas present; once I figured out Juliette Lewis was not in fact Cat Power I loved the show. And Chrissie Hynde (lead singer for the Pretenders) is a new favorite persona of mine.

Crazy Juliette Lewis:
n

Hardcore Chrissie Hynde:
n

And the lovely Cat Power:
n

pretty neat

2009-08-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

mariachi on the mountain

2009-08-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Before I headed down from the mountains to live in the city, I went on a weekend camping trip with my brother, sister in-law, and her brother. Definite highlight of the trip was the fact that a full mariachi band was camping in the spot adjacent to ours (accordion and all.) It was pretty incredible, and so unbelievably appropriate for a McCleary camp out.

Cloudy Day

2009-07-28T10:11:00.001-07:00

It's overcast here today, which is probably the reason Roux and I both slept until 8:30 instead of waking up at our usual 6am. We went for a run in City Park, had breakfast, and now I'm working while she's napping. I've been craving a cloudy day like this. There is something about the grey tones that just makes me feel like thinking about things, something about this house that makes me feel peaceful.

And something about living here that just feels right.
,

Morning @ 2640

2009-07-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

We are lucky to have a house with main windows facing both East and West. And because the house is bite sized, light from these windows in the morning and evenings fills the whole house. 7am and 8pm are my favorite times of day in this little house, but forced to choose one I'd go with the morning. Mornings always hold so much promise.

I love waking up to this.
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the benefits of sweeping

2009-07-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

I know I have been incredibly absent from the blog this summer, and I apologize for that. On the one hand it has been sort of nice to not have the internet so readily available, but on the other hand I have felt a bit out of loop and am looking forward to having it around 24/7 again.

As it happens, I only have about 2 and a half weeks left living up here in Carbondale. It seems insane that summer has come and gone so quickly. For those of you that read this and aren't aware of (or care about) my next move, here's the update: I will be teaching two classes at my old college (Metro State), hopefully getting my sub license and doing some "pet art" on the side, while living in a charming little house in the city with you and Roux. And. I. Can't. Wait. I'm ready for that change of pace. I am definitely a person who appreciates a small town and easy access to wilderness, but I'm ready to not be so isolated for a while. I'm excited that soon I will be able to hang out with you and Sam, and whoever else, without have to plan it weeks in advance. I am excited to have intellectual and stimulating conversation everyday (with someone besides Waldo, I mean, he's a pretty deep thinker, but he's only 8 months old.) I am excited to make things again. I am excited to get to know the ins and outs of a part of Denver so far unfamiliar to me.

Even though there are a couple of weeks remaining, I'm going to go ahead and make this sort of a wrap up post for life in Carbondale. A few thoughts I will take with me:

1. Any experience is truly what you make of it. Ever since I got here I have been waiting for the moment where I go "ohhhh, this is why I am here." Well, that hasn't really happened yet. For the most part, my time here has been all together un-impactful. That's not to say it hasn't been nice, and fun to live in a beautiful new place, but like I said I haven't felt any sort of deep sense of purpose for my being here. Part of that, or all of that, I'm sure, is due to my own detachment. As soon as I knew I was going to take the teaching job in Denver, I think I halted any efforts to really invest in this place. That's a bad habit I've noticed before. As soon as I know I am about to leave, I detach. And, how can anything ever feel purposeful when you are not fully there?

2. I love sweeping. Silly? Maybe, but I will explain. Three days a week, I ride 4 of the horses and do various other barn chores. My routine is usually to get he hard work done before lunch and then sweep the barn. You'd be amazed at how theraputic it is. One of the things I have really liked about my duties here is that they are pretty black and white, which feels good since I usually live in a world full of grey duty (sorry, couldn't resist that). What I mean is, creative work is sometimes taxing because there is nothing cut and dry about it. There is always the question of whether something is finished or not, or if you are doing it the best way possible. When you are sweeping, there is really only one way to go about it, and when you are done...you are done. So, I think that my brain has been on a nice vacation in that way, and is getting all recharged and ready to head back into the world of ambiguity.

3. I'm tired of doing things alone. I'm glad that I have the ability and feel so comfortable taking things on by myself, it's getting less and less enjoyable. Waldo definitely helps, but really, I'm just tired of doing things alone.

4. I will never cease to be amazed at how beautiful it is here, and how lucky I am to have been surrounded by it for a summer. I've had many of those moments this summer when I feel so overwhelmed by how beautiful it is that I would be perfectly ok just evaporating into it.

I might come up with some more thoughts later on, so stay on the edge of your seat. And, while you're sitting there, maybe you could post some of the photos you took during your visit??

Missing #3

2009-07-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait

2009-07-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been thinking about how I never, ever appear in any photos. I am about 37 million times more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it. But I saw this post of Tara Whitney's and it inspired me to take a self portrait. I sort of hated it, but I can see the merits of making yourself do it every now and again.
m

Behold...

2009-07-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

...our new shower curtain:
n

It's a little more turquoise than I thought it'd be, but I say it's a keeper. Whaddya think?

Our Hood

2009-07-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

On my way home yesterday afternoon I precariously balanced my camera in the window frame of the driver's window and snapped photos from the time I got off on the highway until I turned onto our street.
Moving here in August is going to be just a little bit of a change of scenery for you. Still, I'd say it's beautiful in its own right.
b

the big show

2009-07-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

As you well know, I was able to go see Bon Iver at the Ogden theater in Denver this past Saturday. My expectations were certainly met, although I did not get to become best friends and creative collaborators with the guys, but perhaps that will happen next time. I was trying to find a good link to share the opening band with you (The Wheel), and I happened upon this blog that does an incredible job of covering the entire evening. Check it out:

here.

The PEN Story

2009-07-10T08:19:00.001-07:00

Gosh, I love this.

James Moes

2009-07-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

I'm exposed to a lot of different photographers, and probably check about 40 photo blogs on a daily basis. But it's been a long time since I've found someone as inspiring as James Moes. He's right up there with Jerry Yoon on my list.

So unbelievably inspiring.
n

T.M.

2009-07-08T11:54:00.001-07:00

My favorite shot of your brother (so far):
,

Dog Friend

2009-07-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

Beulah is beautiful.

As I was getting ready for bed last night I was struck by a wave of melancholy. I glanced over at the bed, and realized how powerful having Roux there with me was. So I snapped this photo; a reminder of how this dog most definitely earns her keep.
,

Ink

2009-07-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

This reminded me very much of you.
n

The Land of Enchantment

2009-06-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

I loved driving to New Mexico last week just as much as I loved actually being there.
,

An open road is good for the soul.

Prequel to the Trip Report

2009-06-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

I've been letting the intimidation of writing a big post about my trip prevent me from posting at all, and that's just silly.
I would like to write a thoughtful post about the trip, but for the time being I'll just post a few photos from the thousands I've been editing and organizing.
.
(Rhodes airport)

(Athens)

(Dance Festival in Parma, Italy)

merry christmas!

2009-06-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

August 22=me+you+The Pretenders+Cat Power+The Botanic Gardens.

i want to be this kind of teacher

2009-06-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

Red HIll hike

2009-06-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

artist of the month (or so): james surls

2009-06-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago (after recuperating from a bout of the stomach flu) I drove around to check out some of the local artists participating in the Roaring Fork Valley Studio Tour. My favorite of the day happened to be right up the road from here. I'm always a little envious when I come across an artist who seems to have a way with wood, and James Surls certainly has that. The sculptures are large and beautiful with a certain whimsy which always catches my fancy. His blog is good reading to boot.

Find some internet soon ey?

kids say the darndest things

2009-06-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

I keep meaning to write down funny things that Scarlet says, and while I haven't actually done that I do remember some dingers off hand that I'd like to share.

1. Yesterday, we walk out of the house to find her umbrella laying in the plant holder and I hear:
"SHIT! My umbrella!" from her little 3 three year old mouth. I respond: "What did you say?"
She responds: "Shhhhhhiiiiiitttttt, my umbrella!"

2. Scarlet commonly slips right into her birthday suit the moment she enters the house and one afternoon she was attempting to sit on my lap. Needless to say, I asked her to please put on some underwear if she would like to sit on my lap. She proceeded to stick her finger between her butt cheeks and reassure me that everything would be just fine because there was no poop.

3. Her version of the alphabet: A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O BUB-BLE-GUM.

4. In a conversation about birds: "That bird is a pigeon because it flies like an eagle."

So Far Away

2009-06-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

For the vast majority of this trip I have been a happy camper, despite (or because of?) the fact that I am alone. Every time I moved on to a new destination I'd think, "hell yeah, I can do this; not only can I do this alone, but I like it."

Until this morning when I made the trip from Athens to Rhodes.

Let me preface this by explaining that yesterday I spent fourteen hours getting from Parma, Italy to Athens. I left Parma in the morning, took a train to Milan, took a bus to the Milan airport (an hour's drive), waited in crazy massess of people forever, took a plane to Athens, and got a cab to my hotel. I arrived at 11pm; I had to be up at 3am the next morning to catch my flight to Rhodes. So I was running on about three hours of sleep, which really never ends well.

I arrived in Rhodes and figured I'd just get a cab to my hotel, which is in Old Town Rhodes. The cabbie seemed to understand where I was going and gave me no inclination that it wouldn't be a cinch. When he got to the massive gates of Old Town (Rhodes is a mideival Turkish fortress and village), he stopped the cab and gestured just head, leading me to believe my hotel would be a hop, skip and a jump away. I heaved my ginormous backpack on and headed in the direction he'd motioned.

It was 6:30am and the streets were totally deserted, which would prove to be troublesome when I spent the next two hours completely and utterly lost. Apparently my hotel was not just around the bend, not at all. And the Turks really did not give a damn about laying their fortresses out in a logical way, because the streets are insane. They're about four feet wide in many places, full of potholes, and the entire village is built out of the same kind of rock so there is no way to distinguish one street from the next. It's a maze. And the street names are usually just in Greek. Which, in case you need to be reminded, is not even an alphabet I can remotely begin to understand.

It was already getting hot, and I was hungry and tired to boot. There was no one around to help me, and I got to the point where I seriously considered just sitting down in the middle of one of the winding roads to have a good cry. But I perservered and at long last, by a stroke of pure luck, I found the hotel.

I rang the bell, and nothing happened. I rang again. I was barely holding on to my last shred of dignity, and began pressing the bell like a madwoman, over and over again, holding it down for thirty seconds at a time. Still nothing. It was about that time that I looked down and realized I was standing in a puddle of vomit from the night before.

That was the last straw. By the time the hotel manager finally came the door I had lost every ounce of my ability to be even halfway decent to him. He told me my room wasn't ready yet and that I could wait on the terrace, and without a reply, I rushed past him and onto the terrace. I figured it was better not to reply at all; I think if I'd tried to talk it would've turned into ugly sobbing or crazy yelling.

Slowly I began to regain my composure and realized the terrace was actually really beautiful. And before long my room was ready. I slept for three hours, and spend the rest of the day today giving Rhodes another chance, which it totally deserved.

So I guess the moral of that story is that traveling alone is not a walk in the park. At least if I had been with someone else we could have laughed about it. But being alone, with that many factors working against me, was 100% miserable. The good news is, I think I've fully recovered and am working on an itinerary for the Greek Islands, which should be a boatful of fun.
n

No dogs here yet, but there is this cat, resident of the Hotel Via Via, who acts like a dog.
n

Algerian Dance Festival

2009-06-15T00:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am in a rush to get myself to the train station on my way out of Parma, but I wanted to quickly post this video. The first night in Parma I arrived just in time for this magical dance festival in the town square. I intend to write more about it when I do my monster end-of-the-trip post.

Algerian Dance Festival in Parma, Italy from Claire B on Vimeo.

showering the bride

2009-06-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

I headed down from the mountains this weekend for the beginning of wedding madness. My brother gets hitched in just a couple weeks (which will be photographed by the one and only Claire Bow, and I am super jazzed about that.) Things got kicked off Saturday with the bridal shower in my parents' back yard, and then a bachelorette party in Vail that evening. A good time was had by all, but I'll admit that I am sort of envious of the bachelor party that was also held this weekend in San Fransisco. My brother and 10 of his comrades decided it would be extra special to grow mustaches for the occasion, and I'm sure that provided for some pretty comical situations.
A glimpse at the festivities:

Favorite shot of the day:

Firenze a Parma

2009-06-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hi, friend. This comes to you from a little B&B on the top floor of a building on the main street of Parma, Italy. I just got here, and am starving so I'm going to venture out soon for some food + wine, but I'm more than a little scared I won't be able to get back in. There's a nondescript door on the main via, then you have to push some specific button which triggers a tiny cutout in the door to spring open, and then follow some convoluted series of doors, locks and staircases before you find the pensione.

I originally planned to spend two nights in Florence, but cut it short and am instead in Parma for two nights instead of one. I was at a hostel in Florence, and to be honest, I am happy to have my own room again in Parma. Also, I'm just not a big city girl. Two days were enough for me. I have to say, though, that the art was truly amazing. Almost as good as the gelato.

I have wireless internet and my outlet converter works here so I will try to do a bigger post tomorrow.

Where have you been? What have you been doing?

Cinque Terre Quickie

2009-06-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

I have wireless internet again, so provided I can shove my French outlet converters into these Italian outlets, I may be able to do another post soon. But for now, just a quickie.

I just arrived in Florence after having spent four days in Cinque Terre (specifically, Riomaggiore). I can't really attach words, at least not quickly, to the experience, but suffice it to say that so far it has by far been my favorite part of the trip. It was full of good people, good food and unbelievable surroundings.

Ciao!

chicken s&*%t

2009-06-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

I must say, I think everyone should have mandatory ranch life after completing graduate school. Everyday, I feel myself unwinding a little more. But, I still catch myself attempting to get stressed out or hurry through things as if I have I have to meet a deadline. Reality is, I wake up and I let the chickens out.

Interacting with those rascally chickens has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Usually around 7 am, after I have taken Waldo for a walk, I meander up to let the Navajo (the ewe) and his two goat pals into the hay pasture. As you can see, they are usually staring at me asking why on earth I am taking so long.

Next, I make my way to this door where hens are clucking like crazy and roosters are cacka-doodle-doing waiting to bust loose.

I stand clear as they hall ass to who knows where, acting like they have an important meeting to get to and have been stuck in traffic for the last 40 minutes.

But, then they realize "oh shit! I totally forgot my breakfast!" And they make a u-turn back towards the door where I have just served up some piping hot Layena.
While the chickens are obviously a hoot to be around, you can never totally let you gard down because old Devil Brains (that's just what I call him) is likely to peck your eyes out if you aren't careful.
Since I had the camera out I figured I would try to get a shot of Gus and Scarlett for you. Gus complied and even went with the chicken theme.
But, Scarlett would not have any part in the picture taking.

I hope you are alive and well! Find internet soon!!!

Frommage Is Not Dessert

2009-06-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

Blogger apparently is aware that I am in France now, because when I went to the main page to log in, this is what it wanted to know:

Qu'est-ce qu'un blog?

Yup.

Having just returned from an all day adventure on the boat, I am completely and utterly exhausted. I didn't bring my camera with me today (I was worried it would get wet on the little Zodiac), but I took quite a few photos yesterday.

We spent the morning yesterday strolling through Le Suquet, which according to my understanding is basically just the name for the old village-y part of Cannes. It looks like this:
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At the farmer's market I fell completely in love with these flowers. Any clue what they are? (Maybe you can conquer botany when you're finished with birds? That would come in handy for me).
n

We spent the afternoon at a beach very near to La Napoule (the village where I'm staying). Lee lives literally across the street from this castle:
,
It reminds me of that Eddie Izzard bit about how there are castles everywhere in Europe, so many that you are constantly bumping into them. So far I think he was dead on.

The beach was phenomally beautiful (and actually not very crowded--although I am quickly learning that Europeans have a totally different concept of body exposure and it's quite common to see people totally nude or women topless).

I cannot get over how crystal clear the water here is. You would think the centuries of human use would have muddied it all up, but au contraire, it's unbelievable. I can't even describe the shades of blues and greens you see out on the water here.,

I probably haven't quite fulfilled your expectations for how much I'd have read by now (two books down and only 20 pages into Atlas Shrugged) but I am definitely loving having time to read whatever I want. So far Atlas is as enthralling as Fountainhead. I'll keep you posted on how it progresses.
,

Probably the most exciting part of the day yesterday was when we drove out to this rocky point (part of a national park)
.
. . . and look at what it's called:
,

Roux!!! Roux in France! When I told Alex that he said, "Roux rocks." That's funny. Something else that's funny? The fact that French people think cheese (frommage) is dessert. It's always on the dessert menu. You absolutely cannot convince me that cheese should be part of a dessert menu.

So tomorrow I head off to Italy, truly alone for the first time this trip. I think I have internet in the HOSTEL where I am staying, but I'm not betting on it. I will try to check in again soon. . .

Bisous!

slow as molasses

2009-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

I realize that it is pretty pathetic that you have already done one Europe post and I still hadn't done my second Carbondale post. It's just hard to be motivated when it takes nearly fifteen minutes for my photos to upload.
Living here so far has proved to be pretty darn good. I really love living in and getting to know a new part of Colorado. Last weekend I put Waldo in the car in hopes to get in a good a hike at near by Hanging Lake. We made it all of 50 feet before I saw the sign saying "no dogs allowed." I was bummed to say the least, but at least the view from the parking lot (below) was decent.

I was not to be deterred from finding a good hike. After a little driving around I happened upon a great little trail called Grizzly Creek. Aptly named because it followed this creek for a good while, although I'm not sure where they got the Grizzly part seeing as though Grizzlies don't even live in Colorado. Nonetheless, an afternoon well spent.
As I mentioned before, I was able to take part in a clinic here at the ranch with Wendy Murdoch. I didn't have high expectations because the only other clinic I have ever done was a complete disaster. Forte was refusing to go through the in and out and the only advice the dude had was to use more spur and more crop. Nothing was accomplished. BUT, this clinic was very eye opening for a lot of reasons. Each of the two days started out with lecture/discussion. Wendy is all about bio mechanics and how we can use our bodies properly to be more efficient in not only riding but everything we do. She taught us all to walk, which sounds silly but is actually something not very many people do properly. I explained to her my knee issues both on and off horses and she provided me with ways I could change the way I was using my body to alleviate the pain. Too much to explain in one post but check out her site, and next time we see one another I can teach you how to walk.
And, now a glimpse into my living quarters. I've been living in the barn, but as you can see it's not too shabby. This barn was previously used for therapeutic riding and this area was where they conducted physical therapy off the horse. Since then the people I work for totally re-designed it into this comfortable living area complete with a giant bar.

I spent all of yesterday on the coach watching episodes of the Dog Whisperer (I love when Ceasar Millan wiggles like a dog) because I was laid up with the stomach flu. Pretty terrrible day. Today, though, I am on the mend and plan to check out the Roaring Fork Studio Tour which is where local artists open up their studios to the public for one weekend. Should be great.

I hope France is treating you well! Oui oui!

Côte d’Azur

2009-06-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, first of all, Lauren just because I'm not in town doesn't mean you can totally quit posting. In fact, I sort of think it means you should post more. I still want to see photos of your actual living quarters, and hear about how you've been liking life in Carbondale.

I don't have a lot of time at the moment, but thought I'd check in quickly with a photo or two. London was lovely; it is always lovely to see Karen + Nick. They completely spoiled me, refusing to let me pay for so much as a cappuccino, allowing me to avoid all public transport and instead driving me where I needed to go in a Porsche Boxter, and taking me shopping. My first hostel is going to be a serious wake up call.

Today I arrived in Nice (although the town I'm staying in is actually La Napoule). I haven't taken any photos from the ground--not yet anyway--but took this as the plane was landing. The water is a truly amazing shade of turquoise. I expected sort of brownish blue water, like in California, but it's far more breathtaking than that. We spent the afternoon walking through Nice, which is a little large for my taste, but there is a section that is nothing but tiny pedestrian side streets, full of flower markets, cafes and little shops that is really nice.

So, here's the Côte d’Azur from the air; hopefully tomorrow I can post more photos.
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Leaving One Beautiful Place for Another

2009-06-03T06:58:00.001-07:00

This is my last post from the good ol' U.S. of A. Next time I write I will be in: a) London, b) Nice, or c) Riomaggiore, depending on where I have internet.

Hip-hip-hooray for adventure.

I'm pretty sure we could have invented these

2009-06-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

I just saw these wrap up boots online and they reminded me of how we used to wrap our own legs with polo wraps.

Look at the description:

Inspired by the beauty and tradition of Argentine polo and the elegant, brightly colored leg wraps of its champion horses.

Blue Wolf + Other Dreams

2009-06-02T07:20:00.001-07:00

Alright, here's two excerpts of the final Blue Wolf + Other Dreams project (which debuted on the big screen last night).

Part I:

Blue Wolf + Other Dreams, Part I from Claire B on Vimeo.

Part II:

Blue Wolf + Other Dreams, Part II from Claire B on Vimeo.

for your pocket

2009-06-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

Finally got my act together and snapped a few photos for you so that when you are out perusing around Mediterranean Europe you can have a small mental image of my location. I also wanted to make sure you could catch a glimpse of my favorite cow because I know how thrilled you were that cows were also in the job description (I'll get you a shot of the 4-wheeler asap). I'm so looking forward to your Europe posts, and I can hardly believe you are jetting off in just two days! I really think this is going to be an incredible experience for you.

Boomer

2009-05-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

We drove up to Berthoud Pass on Saturday to ski, and ski we did. We brought all three dogs (we're still dogsitting Jemma), and tired them out by forcing them to keep up with us, on skis, in snow that was belly-deep. It was good for them.

Anyway, we'd planned to grill brats (and a veggie burger for me) post-ski. We set up shop in the parking lot; lounge chairs, plenty of Coors Lights, music blaring. We had this incredible view of the mountains, and with the exception of the occasional fellow skiier, there weren't that many people.

I happened to have my camera out when a truck and trailer pulled into the parking lot, drove right in front of the most magnificent view, and parked. An old cowboy got out and proceeded to unload his mule. (A mule! Remember how I'm obsessed with mules now?!) And then he proceeded to march his mule up and down in front of the perfect view. It's ironic how much work I put in trying to frame shots, all the time, every time I work with clients, and then boom, out of the blue some picturesque cowboy with some picturesque mule pulls up, parks and then does picturesque walking in front of the mountain vista.

Eventually, the cowboy and his mule (Boomer), came over for a visit. The cowboy told us about how he had Ridgebacks for many years. He called them Zing Dogs, Zippered Intelligent Noble Guardians. (You know, because the ridge is like a zipper). And he told us about one dog in particular, a dog named Anama Zing Dog. Which is the same thing as An Amazing Dog. Clever, that guy.

It was just one of those totally random yet fascinating encounters. And these are the photos that resulted from it:
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Travel / a(part)

2009-05-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

I just came across two photographers that I adore.
The first, Noran Bakrie, has an entire travel section on her website. I'm finding it particularly inspiring. Some of my favorites:
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Also, I am enjoying Katie Shapiro's a(part)/together series.
Doesn't this remind you of how we used to braid our hair together?
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We had a serendipitous run-in with an old cowboy and his mule today on Berthoud pass. I photographed it, so I will post those photos in the next day or two...