Mexico: One Adventure at a Time

So I have a slight obsession. His name is Rick Bayless. I have a series recording of his show "Mexico One Plate at a Time" and love his frozen pizzas which are inspired by the tastes and smells of Oaxaca. Why do I adore Rick so much? Well, WHERE DO I START? I think JW put it best when he said "Wow, he really is the only other person besides you that is that obsessed with Mexico" Hmm... Maybe so. I have contemplated going to Chicago to visit my best friend Kerry with the real plan of going to both of his restaurants. That website right there gave me some of the best suggestions on places to try in Oaxaca and even convinced me to suck it up and brave the consequences and try agua fresca. On my quest to find out all things about Rick and his culinary obsession with Mexico, I found out that he does culinary tours of Mexico. WHAT?! The man who lived in Oaxaca and inspired me to cook Mexican (everyday) is giving a culinary tour of Mexico in September. Wasn't I suppose to go to Oaxaca for Dia de Los Muertos in November for a reunion? OH YEAH.... Who says I can't do both? This year has been pretty lucrative so far. But lets just see what this magical trip in tales!!!

MEXICO: PUEBLA, TLAXCALA, AND MEXICO CITY

Experience the culinary and cultural riches of Central Mexico, from the magnificent colonial city of Puebla to the high energy � and art and culinary landscape � of Mexico City. The emphasis of this trip is on the foods of Mexico City, Tlaxcala, and the surrounding areas. It promises to be a unique and exciting opportunity to explore these culinary traditions �on location� in the culture and subcultures in which they evolved. The food found today in Mexico City still reflects its origins; enormous varieties of the centuries-old masa snacks can be found in the city�s markets and from street vendors. Then there are the traditional dishes, such as moles and pipianes, as well as the exciting dishes that are being created by chefs using traditional Mexican ingredients in new ways.

Discover these riches with chef, author, and PBS series host Rick Bayless, one of America's foremost practitioners of Mexican cooking. This program is limited to culinary professionals only.

WHAT?! Okay, I can make a mean guacamole and so pretty good Mexican got chocolate, but I'm a photographer, not a chef. But I emailed the woman who sets these things up and you know what, there might just be a spot for me on the trip after all. This may be my very first time traveling on my own UNLESS SOMEONE WANTS TO COME WITH ME!!!!

Check out the info here, and come with me!!!

...and we have winner

After a few weeks of research and a ton of test drives, I've decided on a new car. A 2007 Mini Cooper!!! The '07 is completely redesigned (the first time since they came out). This car is so smart that I can't believe its actually a car!! My phone somehow (well, via bluetooth) is connected to my car which mutes my music and rings out of the speaker if someone is calling me with the phone number showing up on my screen and the accept call on my steering wheel. The car also tells me how many miles until I need to get gas, if I have a flat tire (wtf?!), when its time to bring my car in for service and it also has a place to my iPod in the glove box where its hidden away. All the controls from artists to playlists are controlled from the little computer or steering wheel. Who thinks of these things? I am so amazed that things like this exist and better yet, that I have the opportunity to take advantage of it. I am going to the dealership to sign my life away (along with my first born) and in a few days, I will have my adult go-kart. And to my baby Jetta, I will miss you so! We have been through so much together and you are like a disfunctional part of my family. Haha! I'll miss you little vdub.

If you are in the market for a new car seriously think about getting a Mini. They get 37mpg! For a non hybrid, thats pretty damn good. If you aren't just go to the website, no really, do it! Building your own Mini Cooper is like being a kid in a candy shop.

shes my ray of...

So I am getting sick again and it sucks. I had a crappy cold two weeks ago and I visited my dad and it seems like he had the same thing I had and has somehow passed it back to me. Gee, thanks dad. Along with being sick, I am completely backed up in my work log and I have a million craft projects started and a bunch to start and complete but the office is a mess and its so time to get organized. I REALLY don't want to get sick sick again and I really want to get organized. But instead, I am going to attempt to watch Little Miss Sunshine without puking from its over-the-top indie quarkiness. Who knows, I might actually like it. I do like Steve Carell.

Bill, Please.

Anna Nicole Smith died today. Of course its been all over the news. I'm sure you already know this. I watch the O'Reilly Factor from time to time to listen to the nonsense that this idiot spouts nightly. While I waited for J.W. to join me to watch The Daily Show, I put on the "factor" to see what ridiculousness was going to be featured on the show this evening. The topic of course was the death of Anna Nicole. Bill spent most of the time berating her lifestyle, celebrity status and stating over and over again about how little he cared about her or her life. Since I didn't have my reporter pad in front of me, I'll summarize. Apparently, Mr. O'Reilly felt as though she had no place being in the public eye. That her lifestyle and choice were amoral and her death was neither a surprise or something we as the public, should care little about. Then why is it, O'Reilly, that you felt the need to spend over 75% of your hour long talk show devoted to her life, death and drug use? And as his guest pointed out, Bill certainly knew a lot about someone he really had no interest in at all. I am not one for glossing over the truth or reality of a persons life after death. Many people tend to make the recently dead into something they were not, hoping their memory will be preserved in a better and cleaner fashion than the life they led. I do not, however, find it acceptable to totally bash someones life and choices on national television not even 24 hours after their passing. I am not a huge Anna Nicole Smith fan but her life seemed incredibly tragic and sad. I do not see her death as a surprise but the loss of a life so young with a brand new child is never an easy thing. I will also say I am NOT a fan of Bill O'Reilly's (if that wasn't already obvious from the above statements). I find him incredibly crass and tactless. Clearly he stood up to both of those lovely traits this evening. Congrats!

As for Anna, I think I'll go out and buy some fresh pickles and enjoy them in her memory ;)

whats (really) wrong with me.

It's more than obvious that I haven't been blogging lately. I also haven't been crafting or going out or spending much time online. I think I've said before how I like to keep things light and fun on my blog instead of highly personal and journal-like. That just is not me. However, after 2 years of chronic pain, I have finally gotten a diagnosis that actually makes sense. It is no secret that I have S.A.D. and that winter makes me miserable and i find winter itself miserable. I am not one to be depressed tho. It's just a lack of sunshine that makes me so sad. A bit poetic don't you think? Nonetheless, I usually spend all winter crafting, knitting, and working on my photo portfolio and my yearly website update. This year is different though. The pain has become so overwhelming that regardless of how excited I am by my numerous projects, my poor back just won't allow me to do the things I would like to do. I have everything I need to complete this quilt (this one was made by someone I found on flickr) but my back will simply not allow me to sit in front of my sewing machine for that long. So, what the hell is actually wrong with me? It's odd, random, and makes a ton of sense. Most likely, you've never heard of it before.

To put it simply, I have arthritis. But you know, not your typical type. NOPE! I have one of the more rare forms. Psoratic Arthritis. Most people know what psoriasis is. Psoriasis is a skin condition that makes you look like a red scaly dinosaur. I however, have a mild mild form which is only on my elbow and is very receptive to topical treatment. Thank god, I am a little too vein to have something horrid like that be out of control. So for those of you that know me well, know there is nothing wrong with my hands or feet or knees. Then how is it that I have arthritis?! Well here's how. It's in my spine. Yeah... spine. Is it degenerative? It can be. They don't know about mine yet though. What does that mean for me long term? Well, my joints could fall to bits and I could end up getting unsuccessful back surgery. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. What the hell is this anyway? I'll tell you. I have Spondylitis, a form of PA that is the pretty rare and often times misdiagnosed as simply back pain since in order to be diagnosed with this type of PA, you do not have to have pain or swelling in the joints in your hands. Many lazy doctors who do not want to put any effort into trying to figure out a difficult diagnosis often chalk it up to fibromyalgia. It's a bucket diagnosis and requires few tests and hype new drugs that most likely paid for doctors trips to various golf courses. But hey, these drugs are safe right? But back to the point. What is spondylitis?

"Spondylitis is inflammation of the the spinal column. In about 5 percent of individuals with psoriatic arthritis, spondylitis is the predominant symptom. Inflammation with stiffness of the neck, lower back, sacroiliac or spinal vertebrae are common symptoms in a larger number of patients, making motion painful and difficult. Peripheral disease can be present in the hands, arms, hips, legs and feet."

Yup, its real. I plan on writing a letter to that primary care doctor of mine. The one I saw in Nov '05 that looked at me and told me that there was nothing wrong with me and that I was lying about my pain. He made me cry and also made me feel like maybe I was crazy and the pain wasn't real. Screaming at him made no difference. Please take a few seconds and read this article that Teri left for me on my del.icio.us. It is heart breaking (and not to mention long) But the end is terribly sad. Please be aware that those with chronic pain suffer more than you know.

I miss you all. I'm not hiding on purpose.

Here in my car.

Okay, I have a lot to catch up on. One, I'm looking to buy a new car although my parents said it makes more sense to drive it into the ground first (how's that AWESOME yellow porche doing dad?) Okay... I'm a bit of a car freak. I am also a bit of a German car freak. I wonder where I got that from. In particular, I love Volkswagens, new and old. Oh yeah, and the occasional BMW. But let's face it. The little VW is the car of the people (no, literally). So let's just focus on that. Two cars. Two obsessions.

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
"The Karmann Ghia was a two-seater sports car marketed by Volkswagen, designed by the Italian firm Ghia, and built by German coach builder Karmann. Over 445,000 Karmann Ghias were produced between 1955 and 1974" oh and pretty much British spy car and sex on wheels. I have been eBay searching and looking at various VW enthusiasts websites to find the perfect one. But let's be honest, does someone like me need this completely adorable but yet probably totally unsafe death machine? Okay so it is probably not a death machine but buying a vintage restored car isn't always smart economically. Maybe when I am in a position to have more than one car I'll buy a fully restored, low mileage, and automatic transmission gem of a car. Even though the mere thought of having two cars is kind of absurd.


Volkswagen 2007 GTI
Named Automobile Magazine's 2007 Car of The Year, the newly redesigned GTI is sexy, sleek and so fast you'll be surprised your not driving a $90,000 + super sports car. The GTI
has long been the #1 street racing car for those who love to do so. I, am not a street racer nor would I ever become one but I will say I do enjoy my German engineering and a car that hauls and hugs the road and takes those turns like its nothing. You can add an iPod adaptor to your package, touch screen navigation, steering wheel hand controls and not to mention the interior is a hott plaid fabric. Oh and the grill is a contrasting red color (I want the "Candy White" by the way). Did I mention that I did a test drive of this car in July? I still can't stop thinking about it. I don't think its normal to get so excited about something as simple as a car but hey, you haven't driven one have you?! Well go to your local Volkswagen dealership, pretend like you have the money to buy one and drive the shit out of it. No, really... do it. It's worth it.

In conclusion, I have no money, my car is falling apart and my love and obsession for the two above cars is making my head spin. Yeah.

woah

I think this is the longest I have gone without blogging. The holidays were pretty much stress free. I have a million things to blog about and I will get to that ASAP. No, really.

upheavel.

My office is a mess. Well, my office really isn't much of an office anymore. We are in the process of putting the bed back together and swapping the office for the guestroom. As soon as that's done... I PROMISE that I'm going to redo my website. Its been over a year since I did any work on it and this is just unacceptable. I just saw Ferris Caldwell's new website (thanks to Abby) and found it truly inspiring. In case you didn't know, the amazing Ferris went to AIB and graduated from the same program I did. Not that I got the same thing out of it, ha! I have so many negatives to scan and many new design projects to upload. Changing the name of my site my help people remember it too. But, since my computer was stolen and the entire website was on that computer, it is time time to start from scratch anyway... so no time like the present.

duh!

I just had the biggest "duh" moment. After the mess below (my film was ruined - fuck you Hunts!) and the only reason I used it to begin with was because Campus "mediocre" Camera closed months ago and that was my place to get all film developed. Sure, there was dust on my film now and then but besides that it was good old reliable. Well that and I could literally run out the door from my school to their store during break and pick up my film just in time for the printing part of our class as if I had it all along. YOU KNOW YOU'VE ALL DONE IT AIB-ERS! So I googled them and yeah, there is a location right near South Station. So go to Colortek and support a great lab (even if the parking is a total hassle)

simple things.

I've had two pretty shitty days in a row. Yesterday I learned that Hunt's ruined my film. Let's talk about this for a second. In all the years that i have been getting my film developed by other people NOT ONCE has this ever happened to me. The manager on the phone called me to tell me it was a new employees fault. Am I suppose to believe that? Am I a total moron? She said the young lady did not mark it as b&w and therefore it got processed as color. Now Hunt's is a serious place. About as serious as it gets (besides B&H and that other place in the south that I can never remember the name of). They have a professional photo lab there. When lets just say the idiot trainee mismarked the envelope you WOULD THINK the smart, photo savvy girl working the machine would realize it was black and white film BC it says BLACK AND WHITE on the side. But no... and now my film is blank. I am investigating tomorrow and throwing a fuss. I re shot today and it was actually a lot of fun. Things came up tho... and what turned out to be a simple agreement has turned into a walking on eggshells nightmare. fuck me. So as I prepared my bag last night for my shoot today, I came across the very few Polaroids I took while in Oaxaca the last time. This one was my favorite. The lady was so sweet. All she wanted was a photo of her daughter in exchange for a bracelet. She then let me take a picture for myself and she gave everyone in my family a handmade bracelet. To this day, I have two purple ones on. I love her. I miss her country. This photo made my night or what is salvagable of it.

target: i love you.

Since I graduated from college, I haven't had insurance. I've always been a freelancer and of course, insurance does not come with the job. I also never had the money to provide my own. Because of this, I have paid thousands of dollars over the past two years for my prescription medication. Until now. I dropped off a prescription at target one day since I did not feel like driving o multiple locations in order to do all my errands. When I picked my my Rx and the pharmacist rang me up, my prescription was $25 less than I regularly paid. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This week, my prescription went from $54 to $23 just because Target wanted to lower their prices. They have also instituted this unreal $4 Generic Prescription Drug program. This was started out by Walmart in Florida but my general disdain and boycotting of that company wouldn't drive me to buy prescription there even if they were giving them away. The woman at the pharmacy actually said to me she was happy that I discovered their pharmacy and was happy that they could make a difference in my life. Oh hell yes! All my photographer/artist friends with no insurance, hit up target. They want to make a difference no just make money. What a refreshing change.

PS: Their overhaul of the basic prescription bottle is so well designed. Each family member gets their own different colored ring around the bottle of their prescription so you can tell without reading the label who's Rx is who's! Also, the name of the drug and dose is written in huge letters on the top of the bottle so there is no confusing or eye straining to see which medication you need. Good design for all indeed!

crafting, baking and cameras.

So I wrote this long post about various things but for some reason it was not saved (even tho I double checked) as a draft. Thanksgiving this year was actually pretty relaxed. For once, it was just me and my family. Usually, my family has many friends over and they often drink to much and dance around. It isn't too homey and definitely doesn't feel like the holidays. I asked if I could make something for dinner this year and my mom told me to bake something. I have a love hate relationship with baking. Mainly, I always forget to put things into the mixture or my measures are off by just a bit and the entire thing gets ruined. I cook much better than I bake. But I do make a mean cupcake from the very amazing Buttercup Bakeshop Cookbook. My mom has this amazing cookbook called The Nantucket Holiday Table which I have cooked from before and adore for its amazing New England flavors and local ingredients. The pumpkin lasagna is amazing which I often make with squash instead. This year I decided on a Cranberry Beach Plum Cheesecake. Beach Plum is a local beach fruit and the jelly they suggest using is difficult to find accept in some cute little speciality shops. We don't have those around here really so I went with the other suggestion, red currant. It was my first cheesecake ever (besides the pumpkin cheesecake I attempted to make for JW in fall 2003 without a spring form pan but failed miserably so let's just say that doesn't count) The end product was unreal. It was incredibly simple to make and just what I wanted it to be. JW told me that it was the best cheesecake he had every had before which is a huge honor being as it was my real first try and he is a huge critic (in only the best way of course) You can see a little picture of it on the top left corner of the book picture above but before I finish the last slice tonight, I will take a picture and post my creation online!

In other news (yes, actually crafting news) Denyse Schmidt has inspired me to attempt a quilt this winter. Her designs are so amazing and the idea that quilts can be modern like she makes them really impressed and inspired me. I have no idea how to quilt or even how it to actually go about doing it but I love the all American idea of quilting and making something so warm and cozy from scratch. If you don't want to make one by hand you can always buy one from her less expensive line from Pillows & Throws.

As an update to my post below, I am having a horrible time trying to get my 120 and 220 black and white film developed. I've always done my black and white by hand and when I couldn't I lived in New York City, so finding some place to process the film for me was never a problem. Campus camera, for all their downfalls was my old standby. Its been closed for months now since BU priced them out ot the area (along with burrito max and other long lost establishments). Even Hunt's Photo in Melrose which is a superstore of film, cameras and everything photography no longer develops their own black and white film. It is sent out and developed far away. What is the world coming too? So my final attempt in not having to wait a week plus for the film to come back was going to AIB to do it myself (with the Abby's help of course!) but realized holiday traffic would be horrific and that there were unfortunately, no development tanks for 220 film. So I am back to going to Hunt's to send my film god knows where to develop my film. Analog is really dying, isn't is? I never thought I would see the day. I really never did. But along with my research I found this. I guess development for people has become such a problem that these cute little prepaid evelopes get you shipping back and forth to the lab, processing, and contact sheets, all for about $17.

Another thing I have been thinking about a lot lately is lens quality. I know its a rather boring supject for most of you out there but after getting back to using my Mamiya 645 I missed a high quality lens like the one that is on my treasured Medium format camera. Zeiss has come out with a line of digital lenses called the ZF Lenses which are for Nikon's and not Canons. While the idea that high quality European lenses are starting to be made for digital SLR cameras, even if I had the money their are for Nikon mounts only. Unfortunate. Zeiss, help a girl out! Maybe that's why I am such a huge fan of the Sony Cybershot line of cameras. They are all equipped with Zeiss lenses and the new models have huge crystal clear screens in the back. I'm a big fan of the Cybershot DSC-T10 which is pictured above. It's 7.2 megapixels very slim and compact and oh yeah, COMES IN PINK! I'm not a huge pink fan but I like the idea that this great little camera isn't just a stock grey like all the others on the market. It also comes in black, white and of course silver. Abby has a similar model which has as of seen on her flickr account, takes some pretty amazing photos. I have an older and extremely bulky version of the cybershot which was a christmas gift in 2004 I believe. It is time for an upgrade however. Putting a Canon 10d in your bag to go out with friends makes little sense. It would be nice to have something super slick to play around with. Whynot right?

Photos of cheesecake and the portraits taken are coming soon. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Three little O'Connell's.

I took this picture today during a portrait session with Tina & Tim O'Connell's amazing three girls today. These young ladies are simply adorable and so creative. I had so much fun doing some actually creative photography instead of what I do day to day. I used my Holga, the Mamiya 645AFD as well as my Canon 10d. I'm hoping that the holga images come out the best. It was really odd using an ultra expensive camera like the Mamiya again. I put on my macro lens to do close up portraits of the girls and the difference in the lens quality to that of my Quantary on my Canon is so unreal. Using my Mamiya and looking through that viewfinder make every single frame seem like a masterpiece. I cannot wait to develope the three rolls of black and white film I shot today. The wait will kill me! In the meantime, go to my flickr account and look at the shots I got of the girls with my Canon.

I don't know how to put this. Words aren't my thing, photographs are. I attempt to explain my disdain here sometimes for the things I read or hear. It is rarely well written and I am sure does my argument a disservice but I suppose I will just gave to live with that. I read on a blog today that mentioned Oaxaca and my face nearly turned bright red from the ignorance it displayed. There are a few things some of you out there should know about Oaxaca (since you care ever so much). First of all, it has long been considered the culinary soul of Mexico. It is also one of the centers of not only folk art, but contemporary art in Mexico as well. The population is largely native and this beautiful state and its capital city has worked hard to preserve its roots and beauty. Recently however, there has been political turmoil and violence having to do with a teachers strike and the a call for the resignation of the Governor of the state, Ruiz. Everyone knows the Mexican government to be corrupt and there has been a long tradition of political activism in Oaxaca. The heart that the city and its people have is truly inspiring. Poverty is all over Mexico, most rural places of course have it the worst as is true in most of the world. But don't be fooled. Oaxaca doesn't need your money so that the poor little Indians can buy some beans and clean water. This just isn't the case. What needs to happen is an end to the violence and for the voice of the people of Oaxaca to be heard. What is going on there has drove me to tears and sadden a large number of my close friends as Oaxaca is like a second home to us all. I am glad people are taking an interest in Oaxaca and in the injustice that is being done. But this has been going on for months now. It just wasn't interesting to you until Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore got on board, right?

wanted: maid of all trades

I am exhausted both mentally and physically. Mostly mentally. The house in shambles as the kitchen is half gutted, half the cabinets are put together and the other half of JW's home gym is set to arrive on Tuesday while the other half is in our living room. Once the kitchen is finish and installed (most of which will take place on Sunday) and the garage is cleaned out and the gym set up, I will feel maybe slightly more sane. I'm picking up my parents SUV tomorrow as my car is falling to bits and needs to go into the shop. It will be nice to roll around in something fancy for a little bit to maybe lift my spirits. Its a lame attempt, I know. Which brings me to my next and final point. If you would like to live in a rather large finished basement for free in exchange for cleaning and cooking... well, let me know (being rad, is a must). I don't think I can do it on my own anymore. You will have your own wood burning stove and adorable animals that most likely will be yr BFF forever. Wow, even that offer sounds lame. Can you tell I'm exhausted?

A goodbye party for Mike

On Saturday night my friend Mike had a going away celebration at the Hotel Commonwealth's Eastern Standard Apparently, its a bit of an after work hang out for people working in the restaurants business. My friend Mike is leaving behind a lovely job at No. 9 Park, one of my favorite restaurants in Boston (Barbara, your a genius!). So I started of the night with a lovely glass of Cava which has become one of my favorite drinks as of late. I got a little curious when my glass just continued to be refilled without my knowing. I joked and said, I really hope he didn't think I ordered the entire bottle! As the night continued I learned that the sous chef was the boyfriend of the bartender at No. 9 Park and that we were most likely in for a night of treats. The kitchen sent us out what I'd like to think were little tapas (as they were little bites) of maple flavored bratwurst and chrizo in cider (btw, this is my favorite meat dish of all times so yes, I literally jumped up and down as the little pieces were passed out.) Then then came to our table with three huge plates of oysters on a half shell for our party. I was in shock! I have become obsessed with raw oysters lately and theirs happen to be amazing and super fresh. Along with our lovely little bites we got a number of lovely shots that were divine!! The night was one of the best nights out I have had in the longest time and I would like to thank the lovely staff of Eastern Standard for making Mike's going away party to the west coast an amazing one. I am going to miss Mike so much (my friend of 10 years!) but it will be one hell of a time when I go visit him in SF and drag him to Napa for tour of the vineyards and so much good food our bellies will burst.

kitchen remodel: before

In a weeks time, we will have a brand new kitchen in our house. I could'nt be more thrilled. Here is what we have now and the very exciting, new plans! I will post the finished kitchen next Monday or Tuesday. Yayaya for new kitchens! I ordered them so you can see the exsisting space and then an image of what it will look like. Oh and that big white missing space is our lazy susan! haha I never thought I would be so excited to have a lazy fucking susan. Woooo!

i love fall!

i went to cider hill and bought donuts, apples and cider today. im buying my kitchen cabinets on monday. i took a ton of pictures today that i need to add. did i mention i have lost a total of 15 lbs? i have not weighed less than 145lbs since 1999. my parents want to go somewhere warm right before christmas as a family gift. i have a goal. bikini by dec. its not that far off. about 10 lbs off. i havent worn a bikini since 8th grade. you should be excited. i am.

holla!

halloween for azim

I brought Azim to the groomer today for his first haircut (with me, that is). He was starting to look like a long haired chiauaua and nothing like a pom which was hammered home when a small child on the street asked if he was in fact a chi. NO, HES A GODDAMNIT FANTASTIC PERSIAN DREAM. Okay, I didn't get that mad. I knew he looked crappy. So here is a little halloween type of picture i took of my little prince. I have a whole set that I will add to flickr once I get on my mac. I just had to share this like, now.

blogging, fall and my days as a candy striper.

JW said something to me the other day about blogging. Something which I always thought was very true but always gave little thought to. I was never a fan of livejournal as I am not a journal keeper nor do I care to share my personal business with the entire world. I started this blog last November in order to share my photographs (mainly with friends) and if someone else saw them as well, that was fine with me. I was incredibly productive last winter. I printed half of a new portfolio, updated my website and kept myself pretty busy knitting and sewing and the like. The spring was a sad and frustrating time. I abandoned all my fun activities and moved to the suburbs. I no longer had cute photos to share or little pictures of scarves I had knit. I was (gasp!) depressed. So I started to blog about other things, mainly fashion since its vapid and takes little time or effort. And hey, lets face it, I cannot spell and writting is not my strong suit, so why try? This brings me to my point...

Blogs have become this soap box for those not intelligent enough to become actual journalists. I am not saying that blogs have not made a huge impact on society (i love you Arianna Huffington!!) but I do think it is a space for those who want their egos stroked and their thoughts to sound prolific go. This is the thought JW shared with me. It couldn't be more spot on. There are some particular blogs out there (i will not name names, ha!) that just make my head want to explode. You are not talented, interesting or for that matter RIGHT about anything. I like my blogs simple. I take photos, I have some cute dogs, and I like to share those things with my friends, especially those I rarely get to see and miss sorely. So with that being said.. I will continue to fill my blog with cute little pictures and hopefully bags and projects I have created. At least, thats the plan. Because let's face it, you don't need me to tell you why the president sucks, thats what the New York Times is for.

On another note, blogging in general has become a little bit too time consuming for me as of late. I have been busier than ever working this fall and with JW's pain back, my duties have doubled around the house. Seeing someone you care about suffer that much is draining and frustrating. So bare with me while I attempt to enjoy my fall, support my boy, and take some damn photos.

Oh yes, and these photos were taken on my camera phone while at the mall. the little one to the left is a mini american eskimo dog puppy that was in a store at the mall. I was obsessed with holding her. One day I hope one day she has a lovely little life instead of the hell that is the pet store where she now resides.