Poetry Lecture with Yusef Komunyakaa 2009-03-30

The great thing about actually taking pictures is that I remember how much I love to shoot. Like it makes me really happy. I've been doing so much computer work and it can leave me dazed and moody (read, extremely grumpy). And then, shooting this poetry lecture, I had my camera up, looking through the lens, waiting for Mr. Komunyakaa to look up, to gesture, to smile and I had the flash. That feeling of happiness and rightness and joy. I'm doing what I love and I'm surrounded by and exposed to amazing people that I might not otherwise get to experience. It all sounds incredibly hokey...


I've done a number of Seattle Arts and Lecture events this month...their always interesting and I'll share a few from others soon. Mr. Komunyakaa writes a great deal about the Vietnam War and what really struck me was his beginnings. Years after the war he was on a ladder doing some remodeling when a thought struck him and he climbed down and made a note and that apparently was the beginnings of his life as a poet.... My favorite part of the lectures is the question and answer part...Rebecca sits and has a conversation with the poet. I can hardly have a decent conversation one to one and Rebecca has these smart, funny, intelligible talks in front of hundreds of people... (more...)

Lucia storms City Hall 2009-04-02

I'm always looking for rainy day spots...there are surprisingly few good places to go when the weather is yucky. Jaime was with me at an event in City Hall and patiently listened to me go on and on about how cool it would be to take photos there...so it seemed fitting that I made him(serious arm twisting) bring his baby girl for a test session. You wouldn't think it would have been so perfect for a toddler but not only is it visually amazing, totally open and filled with light but it is surprisingly tactile.

There weren't a lot of surfaces that weren't licked...as a non-parent I'm not yet immune to the ookiness of this.... This is really why I love my job....happy kids and families in love with them...tummy tickles, pride in accomplishment and the sweet way kids relax into the security of their parents... I have a few more indoor ideas that I'm going to try out in May...if you are up for a mid-week adventure send me an email. I can give you the details... (more...)

The ultimate nature walk 2009-04-03

It's spring break. Thank goodness...preschool can be grueling...And so our weekly get together was like it used to be...no place to go, nothing to do, no one else to chat with. And I loved it! I like picking him up at school and seeing him interact in the world but I miss getting to just be with him and pick up on his little things in a quiet and relaxed way.

He's really into nature. I'd say right now but it's been a recurring theme. We brought a baggie so we could collect things for his nature table. We hit the mother load. Snail shells. Two giant ones. Empty. And a whole walnut. Do you know how hard it is to find a whole walnut shell? I do. His parents do.


On the way out the door I saw the cape his teacher made him for his birthday. I tucked it in just in case. Warning...he looks exceptionally pretty in this get-up...these photos aren't for those with a strict sense of boys only fashion...

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Serious Pudge 2009-04-07

Alana has some serious pudge. Which is funny because her brother didn't...he was a scrappy little guy. If they were babies at the same time...and involved in pro wrestling...she would totally beat the pants off him...

Sometimes (read usually) it's hard to get that combo shot...it takes a lot of patience (read bribery) from all involved. So when I saw these happening my heart just melted...

and then he tried to pull her head off...
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Baby plots... 2009-04-09

Babies aren't dumb. They are scheming little masterminds masquerading as innocent little pixies...getting adults to do their bidding...not just the simple eat sleep stuff....I'm talking about a baby plot to make whole groups of grown ups traipse around after them on a seemingly drunken course while making funny faces, exaggerated gestures, squeaky sounds....they must rub their hands in glee when they see me coming.

Ellie looks all cute here...
But you can see her plotting what she'll have me do next....
You see the twinkle...as if to say, "They are all under my control...."
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