a movement.

I just can't get enough of this collection of videos from Rick Mereki. So inspiring. They don't do much to quiet my wanderlust, however. Move is my favorite. I also think I might be in love with Andrew, the guy in the video... (& can I be a videographer now?)

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

a to-do list.

It's the end of the second week of September. Where has 2011 gone?? I will be 25 in less than a month. Made me think...I'm still young, obviously. But not that young! The "Bucket List" is a pretty popular term these days. I've had a "things to do before I die" list long before Jack Nicolson & Morgan Freeman starred in a movie together. Much of that list is travel. Which takes a lot of money. Which I do not have currently. But a lot of things are possible, now, this moment. So I am making a more short-term, semi-fall themed list. I encourage everyone to do the same. How can we remember every great little idea we have while still maintaining to... remember to send that email, feed the cat, call your mother, print those photos, call this client, schedule that appointment...

I know I don't specifically remember to pick up supplies at the grocery store to bake my own pies (on the list) if I don't write them down. Seeing them down on paper in front of your face really does help nudge you in the right direction. I'll get to the list now...before I start to sound even more like my mother.

In honor of this year's age, I'll give myself 25 to-do's. At least until December...

1. bake a pie from scratch
2. start pilates or yoga again
3. check off at least ten books on the reading list before the end of November
4. host a Great Gatsby party
5. grow fall vegetables & flowers on the patio
6. visit a National Park
7. write to my grandmother
8. breakfast in bed
9. send flowers to someone - just because
10. own a MacBook Pro...it's about time
11. get outside & HIKE! new places (includes finding new shooting locations)
12. schedule more shoots & streamline my process
13. complete at least five of the many DIY projects I have saved up
14. rent a house with the old gang for our college homecoming
15. get half-way to my camera fund goal
16. hand make all my Christmas gifts
17. picnic in the park
18. dye my hair RED :)
19. beach cruisers to the farmers market, breakfast, everywhere!
20. orchard picking/fall festival (not sure where in AZ but...still)
21. make an impressive Halloween costume (no last minute fabric pinning this year)
22. throw a (classy) Halloween/harvest/fall party
23. make pumpkin donuts
24. throw a football party for the boys
25. spend my free time cuddled up in sweaters, drinking hot apple cider & spending time with making time for my friends & loved ones

(The last weekend in October we are going to Denver for my first time! I need Denver bucket list suggestions...)

Last fall included checking a college football game off the list. Michigan is so beautiful in the fall. Wouldn't be mad if I got to go again this year...

a pet.

Did you know we got a little monster? 

His name is Fin. I'm sure he'll pop up here more than you'd like.

a rundown.

as i get older, i realize the err of my ways. i have traveled to several countries, yet the information i gathered while there (photos, notes, musings, clippings) are spread throughout guide books, hard drives, boxes of junk & journals - if written down at all. i have lived a full life so far, & my photographer self has captured the majority of it from behind a lens. but how will anyone connect the dots?

this is my attempt to keep a running documentation of...well, me. just for future reference.

don't worry...i won't bombard you with emotions or whine to you about boys or gas prices. that's for facebook (jokes). i do actually still know how to use a pen & pencil, & enjoy keeping small sketchbook journals here & there. but we won't go that personal. this blog will combine some random written musings & updates with snaps from my iphone (obsessed) & other photos.

'here goes.