Buddah



Here's my little guy in his hunter/gatherer/Alpha Male stance. He lives the Life of Riley. I awaken each morning to him nestled in the covers. Leave for work and he has yet to rise. Return home and he's in the same spot I left him ten hours earlier. If reincarnation is real, I want to come back as a pampered cat!

Endurance



Despite the bitter cold that Southern Californian’s are unaccustomed to, plants continue to thrive and bloom, bringing color and brightness during a dreary season. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our spirit was as strong and durable during the challenging moments in our life? Maybe it is, we just don't know it.

Me & My Shadow



My little Buddah gives me unconditional love and I am so blessed to have him as my shadow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!



I am spending the morning at my command center updating blogs, listening to Keiko Matsui's The Piano, sipping coffee from my new mug and thinking about change. It's inevitable being the New Year is synonymous with resolutions.

So here's my view:

Good
~ This blog still exits
~ My passion for photography is rejuvenating
~ Different things in everyday life are capturing my attention

Change
~ Post more frequently (though not simply for the sake of posting)
~ Photograph with the intention of having one photograph monthly that I am proud of
~ Inspire myself with themes and perhaps, invite others to provide me a theme. (Scary but exciting at the same time. LOL)

Uncertain
~ Do I continue with commentary/thoughts when inspired or simply post photos and that's it? Feedback welcomed.

Utilitarian



Doesn't that sound like a four letter word? Like it's so bad to be described as something that has utility? Or something that serves a specific purpose?

This stand is at an Italian restaurant we frequent in Hollywood, CA. It's compact, reduces clutter, keeps everything organized and in its place. When changing table cloths only this one item needs to be lifted and moved.

As the New Year beckons I need to get my life in order and running as efficiently as this stand. The salt, pepper, dried chili and mozarella cheese shakers of my life are strewn about and my body - the stand if you will - needs to bring them together into one cohesive embodiment.

Brrrr!



It is a very cold, blustery day so what possessed me to go to the beach? A delightful tea brunch at an Old English Tea House. The winds were howling and the sunshine was devilishly misleading because it is cold! I donned a hat and silk undergarments for warmth as we walked about the Promenade and let the wind have its way with us - it was so refreshing and clear. We could see the mountains from Los Angeles!

Merry Christmas!



I hope you're relaxing and enjoying your gifts or preparing to feast on a delicious meal worthy of eating on this very special day.

Lethal Combination



Given my propensity for mugs 16 ozs. or larger and love of snowmen, I was in big trouble Sunday morning while browsing my local Coffee, Bean & Tea Leaf coffeehouse. They're not as popular as Star*ucks, but their coffee and ice blendeds taste heavenly to me. I refrained from buying anything other than a latte and a gift. I so wanted the two mugs shown here. Alas, my bursting cupboards tell a different story of lack of space and too many mugs for one person to use in a lifetime!

Where's my Carrot?



It is very cold, wet and blustery day in So. Cal. and this little snowman looks like he's about to blow off to the North Pole or, at the very least, lose his nose! Driving through neighborhoods appreciating the creativity and work of others and the joy they bring us is a wonderful past time during the holidays.

Happy Holidays!



The holidays can be a very challenging and lonely time for many people. Strained relationships, loved ones departed, mounting expenses and the bombardment of commercials depicting the perfect family - things that make challenges more difficult.

Office Building



One of the things that I most enjoy about Christmas is the decorations. Corporations large and small spare no expense in decorating their lobby's with huge trees and beautiful lights. The originality and variety speak to the child in me and captivate me like nothing else can.

Black Friday



Normally Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving), is slated to be the kick off of the holiday season and the day when merchants are in the black and out of red. All of this happens because thousands of us flock to the mall eager to spend our money.

Well, I confess to being one of the mob but I diverged ever so slightly. I didn't shop for Christmas gifts, we shopped for new Christmas decorations and then spent Saturday decorating. This little guy is our centerpiece for 2006 and once it's completed, I'll post a photo.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!



I'd never given much thought to which holiday is most pleasant or important to me, but as I've ahem, matured - it seems Thanksgiving has become my it holiday.

I'm guessing this is because it's the time when family gets together for no other reason than to give thanks, share a meal and spend time together. There are no gifts to buy or anticipate and no eager eyeing of the stroke of midnight.

It's quiet time.
Time spent sharing and talking.
Laughing and playing.

Of appreciation for what we have and each other. As the name implies, a time to be thankful and give thanks.

Happy Holidays!



I haven't adjusted to the fact that Thanksgiving Day is a week and half away when I'm assaulted with Christmas at my local mall. On Friday the local news reported that Santa Claus arrived at theTopanga Mall in Woodland Hills, CA, replete with carolers and fake snow.

I like Christmas as much as the next person but feel we really need to slow down. The news also reported that the average person plans to spend $900 this holiday season, up $200 from two years past.

I don't know where their stats came from, but I can assure you that I do not intend to spend anywhere near that amount. After hearing the upbeat spending forecast, retailers in So Cal decided to grab the eager spending beavers before they change their minds.

Dia de Los Muertos



What caught my attention at this altar was the calavera (skeleton) of an elderly lady and beside her the calavera of a dog. Near them was a photo of a Siamese cat and mutt dog. Clearly this elderly woman loved her pets dearly and this is what her family recalled about her. Not many altars include the fur companions of decedents.

When I die and if I am fortunate enough to have an altar, I want Buddah's photo, a photo of Boo & me, an iPod/vinyl LP/CD to represent music, a drawing of a computer, and a hot cup of tea!

Present Moment


Oftentimes, I don't know what I want. I simply know that I want something different. It's like the old saying, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side." We just think it is. Sometimes living in the moment is a bitch. That's when I must remind myself that this moment is all that I have. Nothing is guaranteed and tomorrow may not arrive.

Creativity



Is not one of my strengths. I don't have an eye for things: color, shapes, tapestries. It's all a blur and giant mystery to me. I'm too left brained to see the big picture and sorely lack composition.

My photos are very ordinary, rather than being unique statements or representations of things, places and people. It is however, something that I enjoy immensely and believe fills a void.

Therefore, I'll continue with this blog after a three month hiatus and post only when something peaks my interest. I'm not striving to maintain a schedule.

Paranoid?

I never felt the need to have a mirror in my workspace so that I could see who was peering over my shoulder or standing behind me. It's sad when an environment induces one to make changes as this.

Howdy Doody

This scary little guy was hanging around on stage near the bass drum. Unfortunately, there was too much movement for me to adequately capture him, but I think you get the feeling!

Pink


Long one of my favorite colors that makes me feel warm and happy at the same time.