scanning away

I got a scanner! I'll explain more about my reasons behind getting it a bit later on, but first I am so excited to have it since now I can show you the photos I took with the 3d toy camera I had talked about earlier this month. There are a bunch more on my flickr site if you want to take a look. I just love the double image that results. And you basically have no control when taking the photos with exposure or anything, so I was happy to see that they came out relatively well. Not perfect exposure of course, but I love that look that you get with toy cameras. And I'll be exploring more with it when I take out my Holga more often once I get my medium format film delivered next week. Hooray!

So the reason behind this purchase is because I'm finally made the decision that I'm going to open my own Etsy shop. (By the way, if you haven't heard of it you can see the website at www.etsy.com - it's an awesome hand crafting/home made/art/vintage seller website) I've thought a lot about it, and I've decided that I will give it a try. My film festival job is only three days per week, so I had been planning on getting another job the other two days of the work week. But I was thinking that this may finally be my opportunity to try to sell my photos. And I'm going to combine it with my love for antiques and vintage clothing by selling both of those on it as well. This will give me an excuse to head on mini road trips to go antique shopping! Then I can resell them on the site. I think it sounds pretty ideal, so I'm hoping it will work out where I make a profit. Anyways, this is still about a month away from launching, so I'll keep you posted when it is up.

So that's the latest. Today is Kelley's golden birthday (30 on the 30th!) which is very exciting. Also I've been listening to records now. Oh - did I mention my sister doesn't have a tv? Yes, I'm back to a blissful life of ignorance (speaking of, what is this Walle I've been seeing on the internet??) where I have no clue what's going on in the world. So Kelley has pulled out her old record player which I've been loving since her record collection includes albums such as the Sound of Music, Fleetwood Mac, and the current record I'm listening to - Oklahoma. Brings back my childhood memories of non-stop musicals. So that's been another exciting piece of news to report. And that wraps up my time today with you guys. Signing out.

bear valley

Holy crap what a day yesterday was! Who knew that after worrying that I had nothing to talk about that I would have such an experience to share.

So...I am training for a half marathon in a few months in Aspen (which I'm quite nervous about since I'm still struggling to run just a few miles here), so I've been trying my best to start being as active as possible so I won't have a heart attack come September. So yesterday I decided I'd go for a hike up Jud Wiebe, which flattens out if you take a turn near the top, which is where I figured I'd be able to run for awhile. So that I did. And then I was feeling ambitious so I decided to go the short distance left to the very top. As I rounded the corner, I saw what I thought was a huge dog rounding the corner, which at first made me excited, until I realized - I was face to face with a bear! On all fours it was over waist-high (which for me, with my short legs, one may think is not that big, but it really was)! It was walking toward me on the trail!

Now, I should preface this by saying that there have been rumors around town that a bear has been lurking close to town, at one point one was seen ravaging a dead deer on the valley floor, and the other night we saw a helicopter hovering over town shining its spotlights onto the surrounding mountains, a la South Central LA, which we figured was out looking for the bear. So I had in the back of my head that bears have been around, but little did I know that I would come to see one up close and personal. After seeing it and experiencing a brief heart attack (and thinking what a great story to share on my blog), I tried as calmly as I could to turn around and then walked at a very very brisk pace back toward where I started. And don't you worry I told everyone on my way down about it. I may have sounded a bit crazy, now that I think about it. But whatever.

Thinking my bear experience had peaked and that all was settled, Kelley, Wayne and I went later during the day for a drive to hike another trail about 30 minutes away (where this picture is - note Charlotte in the bottom right hand corner running at top speed. No, that's not a rabbit). While walking, we passed a lady along the way, said our hellos, then continued on. Once we returned back to the car, that same lady was there in the parking lot, saying that she had run into a bear on the trail and tried to yell to us that it was there. She was about as freaked out as I had been earlier in the day. So perhaps the bears are stalking me (like mosquitoes do), or more likely there's just an influx of bears in the area. We're thinking it's because of all the lingering snow due to the cold spring so they are trying to find their food at a lower level down where us humans are living. Either way, I'm sort of freaked out and am heading today to buy some bear spray.

life lessons - guest edition

Had to share this article as one of life's lessons. Thankfully, this visitor here in town for the Bluegrass Festival has taught us all a very important lesson - don't do drugs!

Be sure to read to the end because the last few paragraphs are amazing - the best part.

Article here.

i'm dull

I'm boring! I know. I feel like my blog is a bit of a failure, since while I'm quite content, I always feel that there isn't enough interesting stuff going on to share with you guys. Hmm. Any ideas? Would you care about anything in particular? I've been using my camera less lately, but I'll get back on that so I can show you more visuals. But otherwise I'm stumped. I believe I've hit what they call "the wall". That same wall I hit when running the 400 in a 7th grade track meet when I humiliated myself by finishing minutes (which, in a race, feels like eternities to both myself and the audience) behind the rest of the competitors because I lost all control of my legs and was just hoping they would continue going one in front of the other...ahhh junior high memories. Bless them.

help me, i'm obsessed

I am admitting it. I have a problem. I am completely obsessed with how I will decorate/remodel my new place. I'm talking, hours spent on Ebay, Etsy, Ikea, Apartment Therapy...if there's a decorating website out there, I've most likely seen it. And read every single post. Which is nearly impossible to do, but there you go.

Specifically I have an obsession with a few things. First - I saw months ago a DIY post on Ready Made for taking an old vintage radio, gutting the insides, putting in new speakers behind the original ones (so they are hidden) and then plug it into your Ipod. (the photo on the left is from their website) And there it is - a cool looking radio that plays your songs. Genius! So I'm searching Ebay for the perfect radio. This I stayed up doing until midnight last night. Embarrassing.

Next is a more serious obsession. Danish furniture. This one's a problem, because all pieces that I want are over $1,000. Some are over by A LOT. Therefore, I've been compulsively searching for "danish credenza/sideboard" on ebay. Because surely I'll miss the steal of a century if I don't. The other problem - shipping. Since I'm in the middle of nowhere, it's super pricey to get it here, if they can at all. Bummer. The piece on the top right of the photo is one I am "watching" on ebay (dear lord I'm using the lingo). It's not too pricey, but I don't know if I'm ready to commit to it. It's so scary! And then my obsessive searching will have to end!

Perhaps I should wait until I actually move in. But that's just silly to try to tell myself that. Like I'll listen to myself. Hahaha. I know me better than that.

vista over telluride

We went on a hike today and as I looked down onto the town from the top (beautiful, right?), I realized that a photo would be a great way to visually depict, for those who haven't been here, the things I've been describing. Fun! Who doesn't like interactive maps!

A. My sister and Wayne's place.

B. My new office! On Main Street.

C. My new condo where I will be moving very soon. With a pool and hot tub. Fantastic.

D. The trail I've been running and biking down, through the valley floor. It's off in that direction. Also, the location where I had my spill - off the bike and into the water. The bruise is now purple and yellow, by the way.

E. Where we hiked up to the other day from town. Almost 2,000 feet! I was pretty impressed with the feat.

Interesting facts:

Note the tents set up in the high school field in the bottom right hand corner. Those are full of campers here for the Bluegrass Festival. Which makes the town look more busy than usual. See how there are like ten cars on the street? Well usually there would only be about two.

Also, there's not many more buildings/homes beyond what is in this photo. The town is quaint and small and just the perfect size.

That help?

room with a view

Today will be a visual day. As you know by this point, I am not a great writer, so it should probably be like this all the time anyways. So here goes - a photo of the view from Kelley and Wayne's place. Not bad, eh? The clouds create those shadows over the mountains. So cool.

biz cards by moo

Yesterday was a very exciting day, since my Moo business cards came in the mail! (And let me tell you that having a PO box is very exciting, making a special trip to the post office - it's walkable, thank goodness - and finding goodies in your mail box)

They are so cute! If you have a flickr account you can easily create them since the two companies are associated, so you can be just a few quick clicks away from making these little guys. All you do is choose which images you want to use, put whatever writing you want on the back (mine is my contact info) and voila - it's your business card. So easy, even a lazy person like me can do it. Had to share. I sound like I am their PR person. But really. Moo.com. Good stuff.

week of fortune

Thank goodness I can let you know the good news now, that I got a job! I was hesitant to even mention anything about it, since as most of you know I am incredibly (to an extreme) superstitious and didn't want to jinx anything (knock on wood, throwing salt over my shoulder, etc.). But I now can confirm I'm working in development for the film festival here! Hooray! It is all a lot of luck and fate when it came to timing for this job, since I blindly emailed my resume to them, hoping they would have any sort of opening, and they just happened to have the person for the job fall through (hours before I sent my email. so weird) so they needed someone right away. And that's where I come in. I had a bit of training today and I'm so excited about it. And a bonus - as part of the job I'll get to take photos at the festival!

Another piece of good news...I just signed a contract on an apt! I can't wait. It needs a bit of a remodel - as in, it needs the cheetah-in-the-wild photos taken off the wall and the green couch with the Navajo style blanket replaced - so I'll be doing some revamping and remodeling which absolutely thrills me. My suppressed interior designer inside of me will at last be put to work.

Also exciting is that I'm going to the Bluegrass festival tomorrow. It's been going on all week and weekend and the town is packed. Well, packed for Telluride. Compare it to New York, eh not so much. But people have been camping all week (I admire them, something I could never do - two showers for everyone! seriously!) and bringing out their bongos. Music galore. Anyways, so tomorrow it's an all day thing and it's supposed to be gorgeous weather, with Ani DeFranco and Ryan Adams as two of the acts. I'm bringing my camera so I'll have some fun photos to share I hope.

life lessons. part uno.

I think I'm going to start a recurring post about life lessons I've been learning. Nothing too deep. At all. Think less, things like, why the sky is blue, more like what type of nail polish is pretty. Well, nothing about nail polish since I don't actually think too much about it (except that I really need a manicure, now that I look at my nails...), but you get what I mean. They'll be in reference to my life here or wherever I am. Just things I've been learning that would be good to share.


-Altitude is brutal. Ok, I wrote this because this should be the last time I mention the altitude here. Joke. I've been talking about it way too much and I know it is probably of no interest to any of you. So consider it done. No promises though. (Because it really is brutal!)

-When mountain biking, wear a sports bra. Bonus points if it comes padded, for times like when you're biking through a relatively shallow river at high speed in order to get past all the rocks, that are so scary, and you are so ready to be in the clear when you notice that there's a substantial climb in the trail that your wheel gets stuck in because it's underwater and muddy, causing you to fall sideways into the water, onto a log that has a branch sticking straight up that stabs your chest as you fall upon it. I mean, just a standard scenario that MAY happen. Oh, and a body shield that would avoid you from getting bruises all over your legs. Just saying.

-Mosquito bikes attack when you're biking. They're smart. They know you can't unleash your grip on the handlebars even when you do feel the pain of their bite, so they eat away at your skin. I'm an itchy mess.

-St. Bernards (UPDATE - I meant Bernese Mountain Dogs! Whoops) are huge and drooly! We went to dinner at Kelley and Wayne's friends' place and they had one, and it made me think twice about wanting that specific breed. While they are still goofy and cute, they are somewhat frightening when charging toward you at full speed. Would be difficult to snuggle and share a bed with one of those.

-If you want to get something out of people, dress up in an embarrassing costume. The other day at the farmers market, a guy who works for Plum TV here was walking around, trying to get people to sign up for a raffle, and he was outfitted in a giant plum costume. Big, round and purple. He wore shorts, too, which was an interesting choice since it made him look like he may have been naked from the waist down. But in any case, we signed up because we felt bad for him. And I think a lot of people did. So that's how you get things done. A good lesson there.


I think that's about it for now. Enough teaching for the day. You're welcome, for sharing all of my incredible knowledge, and I do hope that these lessons will help you in the future.

life in the slow lane

A few recent developments:

Attempt #2 at the hike that almost killed me the other day. And #2 was just as vicious as #1. This time I went by myself so I felt that I wasn't being as much of a burden by stopping to rest, so I did quite a bit of that, including a ten minute stop to sit and enjoy the view at the top. I'm really hoping I can get my photos developed from the first time so you can see the view. It's really worth the trip - even if it does come close to killing me. I've got a lot of catching up to do to be as fit as the crazy, in-shape people in this town. They really are nuts.

Also - I'm going to buy a place here! I know I thought I wouldn't because I don't really know how long I'll be here, but it actually is working out to be cheaper to do it this way, using the money from my apartment in New York and buying a small condo here, since rents are so high and there hasn't been that much available. Plus I can rent it out easily in the future if I do decide to leave. I made an offer on a really cute place so we'll see how it all goes.

And - I'm playing on a softball team here and at last we had our first victory! The reason I am so excited is because in our first two games, we lost so badly that we didn't even finish all the innings because there was just no way we would be able to win. I believe the rule is that if one team is up by 20 runs, the game is over (out of pity perhaps?). So that gives you a sense of the skill of our team. So it was truly amazing when we won the other night - I think it was because for the first time, most of the girls showed up and we had our team shirts. Something about everyone matching in red t-shirts really upped our game. Congratulations to us!

That's about it. My week has been seeing apartments (which I love to do, I kinda wish I could just keep touring even after I buy a place), getting some exercise (oh yeah, I also tried to go for a run - not so successful), going to the opening day of the farmers market (gluten free peanut butter cookies!) and just more vacationing. This week I'm supposed to hear back about a job and I'll also start to be much more proactive to get some work if this one I'm waiting on doesn't work out. So news of an actual income should be next. Let's hope at least!

learning to breathe

I must have jinxed myself the last entry I wrote, because I don't agree with my statement saying that I was adjusting to the altitude. That same day, I went for a hike with my sister up 1,000 feet (or something like that. Again, I like the drama of how that sounds) and on the way up I felt claustrophobic in my own breath - like I couldn't breathe at some points. Not that I was necessarily gasping for air, but more like I couldn't do a full breath. Which was really scary. And since then, after I went for a bike ride yesterday, I've felt like my lungs are smaller and that I'm incapable of breathing like I normally do (or like I do at normal altitude, I should say). But anyways, it's not as bad as I'm making it sound, it's just a really strange and sometimes scary thing I'm having to get used to. Living at 8,750 feet isn't easy, I'll tell ya. Charlotte's feeling it too. She barely could move last night to even lift her head. We're both taking the day off today.

Speaking of the hike the other day, I brought with me a toy camera that my dad had found that takes 3D photos. You have to get them specially developed to make them 3D but you can leave it be and get it processed normally which results in a neat effect where you get four duplicate scenes (a cool example here). So I took this on the hike with me and finished my roll - a 36 roll only gives you 18 photos so it didn't take long - and brought it down to the pharmacy to have it processed. However, the girl behind the counter informed me that they don't develop film in town at all - that the closest place to do it would be Montrose. Which is about an hour away. Hmm. Really. BUT. An update on this, I just went to the same pharmacy to get a few shower necessities, and when I was paying I saw they had film developed behind the counter! What? Was she lying to me? I didn't ask this time because it was the same girl who had told me that they didn't process film. So I'm thoroughly confused. I'll have to secretly have someone go in and ask again. Luckily, I found some mail order labs, if necessary. But how annoying. But I guess it's worth it to live in such a beautiful place. Really, it is. That bike ride (where I may have caused my lungs to shrink) was amazing - I went through the valley floor and it was just me in the middle of who knows how many acres (1,000 perhaps? my favorite number) with yellow flowers blooming and mountains everywhere around me. Unbelievable. Please visit!

Oh yes - and I saw Lars and the Real Girl the other night and loved it. Had to share. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. That's it!

hot air and jazz

This weekend was the jazz and hot air balloon festival here. One was a success, the other - eh, not so much. The balloons didn't like the wind that picked up over the weekend, so we were not treated to hot air balloons flying over main street - instead we got to see the hot air being ignited without a balloon last night (that is what's happening in the photo). They did inflate the balloons this morning in town park (at 6:30am! I was awake!), but unfortunately they didn't take flight. I was really looking forward to it, so I'm a bit sad, but there's always next year. I feel bad for the balloon people - all that planning all year for nothing! So I would imagine that they are more sad than me right now.

The jazz festival has been on as well, with performances happening all weekend all over town - and last night when the balloons didn't inflate, a small band came out with their tubas, trumpets, etc and played amazing music. It was great. I'm not sure if it was out of pity for the balloons or if it was planned. But in any case, the town was out and about and the kids were excited.

So that brings me to the end of my first week here. My adjustment to the altitude has improved - I no longer have a severely dry nose when I'm trying to fall asleep and a headache in the morning. Although I still get winded going up stairs and there still are moments when I feel like I'm sort of gasping for air...when I'm sitting still! It's so weird. I've been trying to battle it by going for hikes and staying active, so hopefully I won't be feeling so out of shape and lazy in the coming weeks. Speaking of the hikes - photos are here. It was gorgeous. We saw a porcupine! And I'll leave you on that exciting note.

mrs. green thumb

Kelley wanted to plant her own herbs to use for cooking, so we went yesterday to the Smith & Hawken in Lawson Hill to get supplies. We are admittedly complete gardening novices. And let's face it - they're just herbs. Kill them (by accident of course), and we can just buy some new ones. The lady who worked there however takes everything very seriously. When Kelley offered some ideas that she had for how to plant them, the lady looked at her skeptically and asked, "Are you sure you're ready for this?" As if she is handing her over a code that's going to destroy the world if she messes up. Really, lady. Plants. These are just plants.

It's a success so far (even if it only is day two). And on the same note, we heard word of a community garden in town that's kicking off it's season on Sunday so we're going to each get a plot of land to grow veggies on! I can't wait. Even though it's cold up here, they say we can grow things like lettuce, potatoes, etc. and they are going to hold classes to instruct us newbies.

PS. It's snowing right now. Lightly. But it's so crazy. It's supposed to get back up to 65 and sunny tomorrow and then 70 over the weekend for the Jazz Festival.

what I won't be when I grow up

I just had my first and last downhill mountain biking experience today. Never again. We descended 1,000 feet (which probably isn't a lot but I like the way that sounds...very dramatic) on a dirt trail with big and small rocks everywhere, perfect obstacles to cause fishtailing and crashing, so the entire time down I experienced panic attacks and visions of my death, tumbling down the cliffs with my bike slamming into me the whole way. My arms are still sore since my hands were gripping the handlebars so much that in the end, they had to be peeled off. I can't tell you the sigh of relief and euphoria I experienced when we reached the bottom. I don't see how people can enjoy it when you are moments away from crashing. Kelley did in fact fall - a minor spill, but enough to seal the deal that I will give up on this sport, starting now.

final leg of the epic journey

So I'm back and ready to report on the last part of the big drive. Our route was from Oakland, driving down towards Bakersfield then east into Arizona, stay the night in Williams, drive to the Grand Canyon in the morning, then continue north-east into Telluride. And let me tell you, this was a long one. The first part going to Williams was 12 hours, then the second day was about 8 hours (which included the stop at the Grand Canyon). But I had three others with me (Wayne, Kelley and Charlotte) so I could actually talk to people rather than do my usual radio sing-a-long, which helped things move briskly.

First stop on the drive was a farmers market that Kelley and Wayne always stop at when they do this drive. It had amazing fruits to buy, so we got the variety pack, with nectarines, peaches, cherries, blueberries, and these small orange things. Don't know what those were, but they were delicious. Also at this place was a petting zoo, complete with peacocks, goats, chickens, etc. It made me remember the peacocks that used to be on the grounds at our pre-k school growing up. Which seems weird now. Why did we have peacocks at our school in the suburbs of San Francisco. I don't know. Nor did my sister. We left there, passing the sign that said "We miss you already!" so I know we must have made an impression.

We continued our way towards Williams, and along the way passed lots of nothing. Windmills at one point. Otherwise just some frightening gas stations where I tried not to look people in the eye. After many hours, we arrived in Williams which was quite a pleasant surprise. I can officially say I've been on Route 66 too, since that is what it's main street follows. Upon arrival, we saw a cowboy walking the streets wearing stilts, a woman dressed in old west clothes (for costume, I hope) and a small band dressed in old civil war clothes who walked around the town playing songs for the visitors. It's a town that is basically the gateway to the Grand Canyon, so it's very touristy, which explains all these get-ups, but it was fantastic! We ate outdoors at a restaurant where there was a guy playing his guitar and singing 70's songs, and we found out that the guy on stilts was promoting the restaurant, so he stayed nearby, which Charlotte did not like. Also in attendance was a man drawing caricatures of people, which completed everything. It was a bit surreal, but so fun.

Next morning, we headed to the Grand Canyon, which I can not put into words, and my pictures don't show the gravity of the place. It is HUGE. And amazing! I knew sort of what to expect, but didn't know the magnitude of what I would see. With my fear of heights, I stayed away from the edges. It looks like it would be really fun to spend a few days there camping so I'll have to return one day for that.

Next up was the final leg of the trip to Telluride. We passed through deserts....and brown fields, and mesas. And what looked like miniature Grand Canyons. It wasn't the most thrilling drive. It felt like the flat plains would never end. They didn't have any rest stops, which was a bit troubling in case of any emergencies, but luckily we didn't have any.

And at last we made it to Telluride! It's beautiful and the weather's been amazing for the two days we've been back. It's pretty exciting too because the town just won a big court case the day we got back, involving the huge block of land that you drive through when you enter the town, so there won't be any huge developments going in, which is great. So everyone's cheering, excited, and they even threw a party on the main street last night with free beer. I love this place.

The only thing I'm having a hard time with is the altitude, which makes my lungs feel like they're going to burst and reminds me of just how out of shape I am. I went on a bike ride yesterday where I had to "stop to drink some water" (a.k.a. take a serious break before I keeled over and passed out) a few times. But it is absolutely beautiful and I can't get over the scenery here. I swear the sky is actually more blue here than anything I've ever seen. I actually am motivated to get outdoors and exercise, which as most of you know, is quite a feat.

So that's the latest. I'll keep this blog up with any news that goes on here. Which hopefully next time will be word of a new job and new place to live!

wonderment of the world

I'm absolutely beat right now, but I wanted to post a quick photo of the Grand Canyon which we stopped at earlier today on our drive. It was amazing - incredible just how gargantuan it is and to think how it's formed over the past few billion years, plus or minus a few.

The good news is that we made it to Telluride! I'm so excited and it welcomed us looking absolutely beautiful. The weather couldn't be better and word on the street is that it just became this way a few days ago, so thankfully we arrived just in time for summer.

I'll write more tomorrow about the drive (I experienced the wild west. Really) but until then, good night. To me, at least.