Yep, I had to do it. I had to get political on my blog. Is that the purpose of doing this daily photo blog, you ask? No. The purpose of doing a daily photo blog is to showcase my daily experiences in life in hopes that you may have a similar experience or feeling.

However, my thoughts, feelings and emotions are quite raw today. After hearing about the election  results in Maine not passing a same-sex  marriage law, I keep reflecting on this same day last year. Although I was ecstatic that the first black President was elected into that WHITE(man) house, I was so torn up inside because California voters placed a ban on same-sex marriage (a.k.a. Prop h8te). “I must break you.”

Last year, at this time I was living in Charlotte, North Carolina. I felt so helpless living so far away from a place where I felt I should be on NorCal street corners protesting h8te until November 15, 2008 came along. I was finally able to join in on a day for the nationwide protest against Prop h8te. I felt a lot of relief having this golden opportunity to express myself.

The ultimate relief will be when all people have the civil right to wed their partner.

…still totally obsessed with Mt. Hood. I can’t wait to take a road trip up to see the mtn up close. We’re making plans with our friends to go snowboarding or tubing or sledding. Yah, I think tubing or sledding  is more my thing. I’ve signed up to take ski lessons in years past at Heavenly, and was dumb enough to try the bunny slope before I actually took the lesson. That didn’t work out so great. I ended up making speed -up to what felt like 100mph on skis that I didn’t know how to control other than “pizza” now “french fries”…..

 Yep. I bailed out, passed out, and was taken down the mountainside by the mtn patrol. A few months later, I made another trip to Heavenly (now that I think about it, I think I was cursed on that mountain) and took snowboarding lessons. Yah, I ended up being the adult student in the class that the bitchy blonde haired, blue eyed, snow bunny Tahoe queen picked on for the entire hour. “No, Trina. A falling leaf. Watch the others. Look. They’re doing the falling leaf down the hill on their boards. Now you try!” I thought it was quite entertaining since the moment I rocked myself upright onto the board and proceeded to barrel straight down the hill and practically taking out every person in my line of path.

I do have to say that the Heavenly ski lodge makes delicious hot tottie drinks.

I need to keep good perspective this winter. During those crummy wintery days, I will have to constantly remind myself that all this rain creates the beauty that I so love about Portland.

In other news, I planted about 85 spring bulbs in the garden today.

I always think to myself when I look at this part of the mural, “Sing it, baby!” And, then I hear her say in a sexy, sultry voice, “Baby, you’ve got to do a lot more than shout from your car window like that to get ME to sing…” 

All I can say about this shot is, “pure joy.” I love to see children experience excitement and joy like this. It brings joy to my heart. And the best part is that she was playing with her momma at this moment. THE best.

After yesterday’s shoot, I definitely know now that I enjoy doing shoots with children. Plus, I get to get my kid fix in at the same time. Life is good.