Life was fine in 2009

And now... my annual list of stuff that I am thankful for during this past year (in no particular order):

James, New England, Dr. megan anderson, Glee, Igor, Boston, my kids at the Y, Allie & Kate, cupcakes, Sam Adams, Cirque de Soleil, Santa Barbara, Pilot, Spray paint, French, Spectre, Nikon, guitar hero world tour, road trips, Harry Potter, being a beast, Real Simple recipes, squid ink dyed pasta, yankee candles, muppets singing Bohemian Rhapsody, Club Moorea, southwest airlines, Books books books, Pushing Daisies, wine, dishwashers, NPR, public transportation, JJ Abrams, free haircuts, homemade fish & chips, Harvard Square, yoga, therabands, not having cancer (woohoo), Red Sox disability seats, peppermint mochas, sleep (when I get it), the beautiful Bayer wedding, The Standard hotel, photo shoots, the Portland ME promenade, crutch dances, drugged up post surgery videos, the modesto nuts (namely their mascot), the train, HIMYM, Duck Tour, stealing lost guinea pig signs...

to be continued

friends, silly stories, pie, photography blogs, Totally Rad Actions, Photoshop, Amazon, gnomes, Rain, Coolidge Corner, adium,
fleece pullovers, cover songs, paid time off, MassHealth, 1 visitor per month, cover songs, student movie tickets, Moody st, being free from ridiculousness of the Y leadership, James dancing at his computer, amazing deals, forgiveness

Crisis of Faith?

Warning... today has been a bit much... welcome to my ramblings.


This morning, my roommate and I were discussing how unfortunate it is that we sometimes can't separate an actor from the roles they play, and how one inevitably taints the other. Sara could not enjoy Katherine Heigl in any roles for awhile, because she associated her with someone who cheats with a married man. I started to seriously dislike Lucas on One Tree Hill because he is a douche in real life. Or perhaps you even like the person, and their character, but the mess around them makes you cringe?

I have discovered God, in a strange way, is my ruined celebrity right now. I find myself avoiding Him because his followers drive me crazy. I am constantly saddened and embarrassed by the ignorance, complacency, and selfishness that I see in the church. Let me take that back... I have not seen it inside the church so often lately, but more like when we escape it's walls and are living out our every day lives.

I feel horrible, because it is not by any fault of God that I am pulling away. I in no way doubt what I believe to be true about Christ, and what I have found i the bible. I am simply so sick of His name being attached to the ridiculousness around me that I almost cringe when I hear it spoken. This is not how it should be. I need to find a church and be connected into a community that reminds me that there are people out there who believe and put into practice the teachings of Christ. I need to be reminded there are others who feel this ache and who want more. I need to know people are just as embarrassed as I am. I feel a bit alone and lost in all of this right now. I get angry and realize it is only covering the confusion and disappointment, so I try not to let it bubble over too much... although then I hit times like these where I feel near panic attack over the question :"WHY!?". Why are people like this? Why do people not CARE about those less fortunate. Why do people not care about those around them beyond what those people can do for them? AND... why do people think they are so much more caring simply because they are Christian? When did people forget a large portion of "becoming christian" is essentially saying "I suck and I need help" (to put it ever so eloquently). AND WHO decided that we are somehow better, more talented, more giving, more selfless than others in this world, simply for admitting we need a higher power and believing in it? When did we forget that EVERYONE is made in the image of God, and EVERYONE has beauty/talent/value... I am ranting. I know. I am just so tired of it all.


I feel like I am in some twisted religious monopoly game where everyone is trying to just do the best for themselves, outsmart everyone else, show no mercy, and God is nothing more then a Get Out of Hell Free card that people keep tucked away for when that time comes. I'm tired of playing :(

I miss having peers who care about the same things that I do. That actually care, don't just hear stories and say "aw buddy" or "oh boo" or "that's the world we live in". I have so few left in my life that truly want to not just see a difference, but make a difference. I know I am nowhere close to alone in this.. i just wish I could be around people with the same passion.

Through is all, I know God is still there. I don't doubt it. In fact, it makes me see our need for Him even more. I just am having trouble separating Him from all the bullshit. It isn't fair, it isn't wise, and I will find my way back... I always do. I just don't know what to do for now... ugh.

"Baked" Goods

1. I finally had a Dunkin Donut (the boston kreme to be exact). Fabulous. yum yum yum. I want another.




2. I realized that being a gimp, I could finally watch a few shows that I have not had the time to enjoy. I perused my netflix instant and was excited to find Weeds Season 1. This show is hilarious and strangely enough gives me the munchies just by watching it. :)





3. I had a Dr appt yesterday, but for the sake of not returning to lame ads, my f.o.o.t will be referred to as a cupcake, my boot will be frosting, dr the baker, and hosp. the bakery. :) The rest... try to figure out!



I stopped in the to bakery to have the baker do a 3 week follow up on my cupcake. The baker removed the old covering, inspected the cupcake, and I was finally able to put frosting on the cupcake. The cupcake is mishapen and droopy from not being used much, which made me giggle quite a bit when comparing it to the healthy cupcake. However, I was given the sad news that my cupcake is not strong enough to be used yet, and it has to sit still with the frosting on for at least another month. I can occassionally remove the frosting overnight for comfort and air, and to wash the cupcake when needed, but then the frosting must go right back on. Due to travel and the bakery being closed on national holidays, my next visit to the baker can't be until September 14th. So I have 5 more weeks with the frosting, and the cupcake can't have any pressure/weight, so Im stuck with 2.... um... metal toothpicks to move it around until then.

I have a lot to do between now and then... 2 weddings, a bachelorette party in vegas (luckily it's fine for the show, and by that time the cupcake can sit in the pool if careful), my dads bday, the anniversary of our ireland ceremony, and my own birthday. I blame these new developments on my birthday curse! This simply was not the frosted cupcake I expected for these events. Oh Boo. On the positive side (stretching to see it) , I have plenty of time to edit the two weddings I am shooting, I can catch up on my reading, The rest of my body is starting to look like Im eating tons of (real) cupcakes, but soon I should feel good enough for leg lifts, ab work, and I can do free weights, so I can hopefully fix that soon. 2 days after the frosting is removed, Alison is coming to visit, so I'll do my best to show her around while learning to walk again. After that, I have physical therapy, Stephanie's wedding, and then it is back to work and a normal life.

I'm getting antsy for that.

home on the range

We are currently in Buffalo, NY. We did not get a chance to have buffalo wings, but we were greeted by herds of fake buffalo on the side of the freeway upon entering the city... dang my camera for not being accessible at the time!

I have spent the evening in the hotel with my foot up watching tv, and it has been glorious. 1 more day in the car and then we will be arriving in Boston! Im a bit too sleepy to write more, except that this time change is going to be suck-errific for awhile... sleepy from the drive, but too wide awake. Oh those 3 hours... at least I have 2 months to adjust before going back to work.

Good night y'all!

Moooooooooooooving Day!

It is official folks, we drive out of the county of big juicy oranges on Friday, July 24th! I am anxious for that day to come, but I also know it will be here before I realize. We have been sleeping on the floor of Emily's apt for just over a week now, my back has adjusted, but I do look forward to our next crash pad that comes complete with a CA King bed. Woohoo!

I am hoping to book a few more photo sessions before I leave, so if you have been procrastinating, now is the time!

My weekends are booked up between now and when we leave, and I can see it will be a satisfying end to my time here. If you want a last coffee/dinner/play date set up, I only work 2 days a week, so let's plan!


The next time you see me may be like this:



(sam adams brewery)

Just hopefully not like this:



(many beers/sake/wine after sam adams brewey)



Come see us soon!

I love the library...

I really do. I got a card at the newport beach library, right down the street from work, and it is a heavenly place. The smell of books, endless options, and free internet if you need it. I could spend an entire day there alone and serene.

I have strayed a bit from my reading list, and will continue to, but that is what happens when you enter a library.

Here is where I am at:
Slam
Me talk pretty one day
Three cups of tea
Dress your family in corduroy and denim
Blood Brothers
Report from a Parisian Paradise
The Bell Jar

I may stray further from the list and go with Revolutionary Road next... or return with some Steinbeck.
Oh Steinbeck how I love thee.

For those bored by this, I apologize. For those who love books as much as me, Im betting you are pullin from this list anything you haven't read yet and looking it up/planning to read it... and I love you for that

Hello world!

So I have not been updating much... here is a quick update

1. I saw Bond over the weekend. YUM. I mean, talented. Very... talented. mmmmmmm.
2. My website is finally up! www.labohemephotography.com. Tell your friends to use me for their weddings. :)
3. I find out this week if I get a promotion at work. Im honestly ok either way, I just want to know!!!
4. My shows are about to go on hiatus... but when they return, they bring friends! Yay LOST and scrubs!
5. I have been sick A LOT lately. It's pretty ridiculous.
6. I got to spend 4 days straight with James. yay yay yay. Im sad that thanksgiving weekend is over and we are back to our opposite schedules. sadness. sigh.
7. We have a chunk of our living room wall ripped out. Ahhhhh flooding.
8. The fog is rolling in. I LOVE IT.
9. I desperately want chocolate chip cookies right now. sigh.
10. I need sleep.

sums it up for now.

Daydreaming...

Things I'm itching to do right now that are almost tangible but sadly still can't afford/have no excuse for:

1. Take a trip to Seattle
2. Throw a mad hatter tea party
3. Go wine tasting
4.See the Bond double feature at Archlight on opening night
5. Have a Spectre Reunion

For now, I will keep pushing forward... feet on the ground, head in the clouds.

Putting myself out there!

As most of you know, I do photography work on the side. Seeing as my full time job often exhausts me, I have not been trying to network for months, but Im ready to get back out there again. Ok, maybe Im not quite ready energy-wise again, but I'm ready to get out of debt quicker and that can boost anybody right?

SOOOO.... Im happy to report that I have kinks worked out with my web hosting site, and should have my site up by the first week of November! As soon as that is up, I will be distributing business cards and postcards to coffee shops, college campuses, gyms (the Y has a great board for people in the community to network), etc. If you have any ideas of where else to place these, please let me know!








I will be sure to let you all know when my website is launched! :) yay.

I had a dream..

I had a wonderful dream actually, but alas I was woken up by my alarm. Upon waking up, I realized how comfortable I was. I then look over and James is sleeping soundly. All I wanted to do was hug him, roll back into my comfy spot, and fall back into my happy sleep. Days like this I curse adult life. DAMN YOU responsibility!!!!

1,000 words

But most of those words would be interrupted by laughter.

I  managed to dodge the curse and have a fabulous birthday.

More photos to come soon.