keswick, england

We waited for the bus to Keswick and the man with the backpack told us where to get the best goulash and shared his adventures of saving sheep in the snowstorm.

white magic

I smelled spring today. Whenever I smell spring I think of the crocuses that so suddenly appeared in the flowerbeds outside of the dance studio each March. Robins and crocuses are a much better promise than anything from a groundhog. This never-ending New England winter has finally begun to drip off the trees and patter through the drainpipes and the parking lot is an archipelego that requires careful footwork. I look forward to the rainy season but admit there is something significant about the city the morning after a blizzard--when I half expect to hear the bells of the White Witch's sleigh as I hold my breath to keep from polluting the silence. 

images of austin no.2

Everybody is friendly in Austin but nobody was born there.

images of austin no.1

I couldn't find any clouds in Texas but at least once a day I found tacos.

el sur grande

My laptop is on the fritz and has been sent to the doctor, so blogging is on a minor hold for the time being.  I did however, find a few film photographs from my trip to Big Sur back in the fall of 2006(?) and thought I'd share them.  The West Coast is beautiful, and I miss it.  That's why I'm more than a little excited to announce that I purchased my plane ticket to Los Angeles in July.  I want to feel the warm California sun on my face, I want to see my brother and sister-in-law and cousins and friends, and I want to eat at Umami Burger.

photo series: saul leiter

"I must admit that I am not a member of the ugly school. I have a great regard for certain notions of beauty even though to some it is an old fashioned idea. Some photographers think that by taking pictures of human misery, they are addressing a serious problem. I do not think that misery is more profound than happiness" - Saul Leiter

Joanna, 1947
White Brooklyn, 1949
Lainesville, 1958
Foot on EL, 1954
Shoe, c1950
Taxi, New York, 1957

I'm going to begin sharing some of the artists that have affected me, in hopes that they might have a similar effect on you.  

First off, I'd like to introduce you to the great American photographer, Saul Leiter.  Leiter's images have a rich, layered, painterly quality, and he has a unique ability to create poetic compositions from the commonplace. His work gives us a fresh perspective on the beauty all around us.

Learn more: 1, 2, 3

simple pleasures

Living alone has its advantages.  You can leave your dirty laundry lying in the hallway if you would like to, or you can spend your evenings listening to records and organizing your bookshelves.  I have finally settled in to my new space and have been doing all of the above.  I have been trying to eat in and save my money, but today I celebrated February 1st by treating myself to two new records and take-out dinner from the Thai restaurant across the street.  I think I will spend tonight listening to folk music by candlelight, munching on pad thai and drinking hot coffee.  I may have just found a box of chocolates, so uhhh yeah- I'm officially in heaven.

antiquing in Northampton

The week before Christmas, my mom, little sister and I went to Northampton, Mass for last minute gifts and antiquing.  Northampton has a lot of beautiful antique shops down by where Bridge and Market St meet.  My sister found a funny collection of cat stories, my mom bought an elegant fur coat, and I just waltzed around in a mink stole and silly hats and posed in front of old, embellished mirrors.  I giggled at two eccentric ladies who argued and fussed and gossiped as they rummaged through their antiques.  Sometimes I aspire to be an old, batty shopkeeper like them, spending my days surrounded by idyllic reminders of the past.

scenes from new york no.1 [the high line]

On our first day in New York, Erin and I woke up early and headed over to The High Line- an elevated park built on an old freight train line running along the West Side of Manhattan.  I have heard about this park for years and have seen it from afar, but never bothered to actually visit before Wednesday.  The sun was shining and it was a glorious + peaceful morning for some snapshots along the reinvented rail trail.