On Friday night I went to see Avedon’s exhibit at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts). I couldn’t take pictures inside the gallery (although you know I so wanted to) but here are a couple from the Great Hall and Italian Art galleries.
Avedon’s exhibit was Amazing! They had an entire space showing his editing process at Harper’s Bazzar and I fell in love. It’s so interesting to see the way he made masks for the darkroom and the way her burned, dodged and cropped all his images. I loved seeing the proof prints. Its kinda nice sometimes to see the “inside info” as to how artists make their work. All in all a great night.
Next up is Minna Family Christmas. I am in charge of the broccoli and I pride myself on my horrible ability to not mess up very easy dishes. I can make complicated things like lasagna and eggplant parm (maybe those aren’t even that complicated..?) but give me a recipe and simple directions to follow and I fail. I’m pretty sure, however that I have made some successful veg. At least I hope. Plus… I have a great (no, better than great… awesome!) gift for the gift exchange… you just have to wait and see!
Currently, I am at my mom’s house in Clinton Township, MI. Everyone always asks me where that is. It’s 25 miles north of Detroit. It’s 2.5 hours and 157 miles East of Grand Rapids, MI. I know every mile marker from here to there and every exit off 96. On the East Side we call things, “Freeways and Doorwalls.” Get used to it. I miss coming home but I can’t handle how people drive over here. First off there is always traffic. Grand Rapids does not have traffic. Grand Rapids doesn’t even have a rush hour really. Not to me. Its possible I almost died 3 times on the way back today. I miss the freedom of Detroit but love the quiet quaintness that is Grand Rapids. I’ve had this East/ West battle in my mind for a while. Ever since college. Which is better? I can’t really figure it out anymore. Sometimes I wonder where I will end up living permanently. Where will I buy a house? I have no idea. Boston is nice too. So is Chicago. But who knows. It’s up in the air and I hate when things are uncertain. I’ve been thinking lately how I really want to visit LA. Not the Hollywoodness of LA but the networking and photo opportunities. I feel like I could do a lot there. Could I live there? Probably not. I burn in 60 degree weather. It’s been on my mind lately and I’m not sure why.
I brought my desktop BAMF computer back to my mom’s as well. I have a small office set up in what used to be my old room. It’s odd. I’m going to get carpel tunnel from this desk for sure. One of my ‘Over the Holidays’ projects is not only to organize and archive my old photo work (like that’s going to happen…) but to get all the images I have of my family edited, and up on my site in some kind of formal order. Here are the first of many.
One of the good things about getting older is that I have cousins who are having my second cousins. This is Ariana, my 2 year old second cousin. She is beautiful.I like it in black and white too.
Eating an apple.
This is baby Stella. My other second cousin who is 8 months old I think. I’m very bad at remembering kids ages (another sign of getting old), you should see me in the toy aisle trying to buy Christmas presents. I feel like a fool. I have no idea what kids are into these days.
There are more. I’m just too tired right now to finish them. The project continues tomorrow….
I’m a bit void of things to update on lately. It’s the season for relaxation and doing nothing. My mind has been on vacation a bit, which I am ok with.
I am however very excited about 2 things:
1. GVSU advanced to the Finals this past Saturday. There is nothing like football in 30 degree weather and snow. Now, back to Florence, Alabama to have a rematch against NW Missouri State. We won before and we WILL do it again. I don’t really know how to explain the magic and enthusiasm that is Grand Valley Football. Maybe it is because we are a D2 school, and therefore have a smaller following; that I believe makes us stronger and even more behind our team. Whatever it is, there isnothing like Grand Valley Football!! Also, there is nothing like Florence, Alabama. It’s by far the weirdest city/state I’ve ever been too. Even though I am not attending this year, I will always remember the good times my friends and I had there. I could totally go for some 50 degree weather in December right about now.
From the sidelines in Alabama, 2006.
2. My Brayton is coming home!!! I am very excited about this as well because it’s the only time I get to see him in December. It’s been been hard to go from living together (and with Stewie) to only seeing each other once a month. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t devastated that I won’t see him on Christmas. I keep telling myself that it’s only for a year, but what if it’s not? What if it’s longer? I dread that thought. Either way, there is no way I could ever live where there is this much snow!
That’s all I have for now. Did you want a Holiday photo? I know Nicole will ask me for one soon.
So, here are some from our Dec. 2008 trip to Boston.
Because I’m a fiend!!! And I like to meet clients at coffee shops in case they are serial killers, then at least I have witnesses.
Ok, Starbucks has this new Christmas drink called the Carmel Brulee. It’s basically Heaven in a cup.
Also, I have a new soul mate. His name is iphone. We met on Tuesday and have been in love ever since. Now that I can properly navigate him, we are getting along much better that when I said I was going to return him for a model would sync her ipod playlist! There we some bumps in the road, but together we’ve made it. Now we are in a very happy relationship.
I told my mom yesterday and I’ll type it out loud: My iphone has completed my life in a way that no other electronic gadget ever has. Brayton may have competition.
Here’s Nicole’s take on it: “I love my iPhone more than any other object! If I were getting robbed I’d rather give them my entire purse than give up my phone… Which is why my iPhone is never in my purse for that reason. NEVER!”
Sidenote: It’s very hard to take a picture of your iphone by itself, or in the mirror for that matter.
I love Post Secret, and reading it today… I saw another extremely sad but cute idea.
11/29/2009
Sunday Secrets
Frank,
My father, who I was very close to, passed away when I was 21 very suddenly and unexpectedly. 2 years later I met the man of my dreams and could not imagine getting married without my dad there.
To this day, whenever anyone asks me who walked me down the aisle the true and honest answer is: “My dad did”.
I love this idea! It’s beautiful and unique. Also, I’m a sucker for red shoes!
Upon my arrival back to GR, I checked the mail to find Melanie and Clark’s wedding invite. Too Cute!
I just snapped a quick photo. It deserves a proper photo shoot later!
They are getting married at an old play theater in Muskegon and I simply love the ticket idea. Now, is everyone in the VIP section, or is it just the photographer?? Haha.
AND, they made my image a stamp!! I need to look into this fancy new technology.
Overall, very unique and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding!
It’s been awhile since I slept this well. I just wrapped up the images of my friend Rachel’s new little one, Miss Ellie. Such a pretty baby. I can’t wait to take more!
