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.
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Tags: black president, california, charlotte, civil rights, elections, flag, gay blog, gay rights, lesbian blog, lesbian photo blog, maine, marriage equality, nationwide protest, november 15, photography, pride, prop 8, prop h8te, proposition 8, protesting, same sex marriage, separate, voters
It’s happening. Fall is weening so fast. I’ve been watching this tree down the street from my house. It’s so enormous and beautiful. The wet, cold and rainy season of Portland has arrived. I feel a little sad about this year’s incredible summer and early fall beauty coming to an end. 
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.
Tags: autumn, beauty, fall, ground, leaves, mt tabor neighborhood, perspective, photography, portland, rain, rainy, sad, street, summer, trees, wet, wintery days
I drive by this mural every morning around 7:22a.m. when I take Kari to work. Yah, I know, I’m a good girlfriend. Every single time I drive by this mural which is alongside a wall of a music center in Portland called Music Union - I think to myself, “I must stop for a quick shot of its beauty.” So, it looks like yesterday was the golden day when I did just so.
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…” 
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Tags: drive by, drive way, mural, music, music union, ne 20th, photography, portland, sandy blvd, street, wall
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.
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Tags: autumn, children, excitement, fall, joy, kids, smiles
I had so much fun yesterday at FairyTaleTown with Junet and her daughters Lily and Kaylyn. Maybe it’s because I know those girls, but I definitely am putting my foot in my mouth. I thought that I wouldn’t enjoy clicking children’s photos. I thought I would rather stick with a daily experience, abstract, nature girl kind of style.
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.
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Tags: abstract, children, daily experience, daughters, fariytaletown, girls, junet, kaylyn, kid fix, lily, nature girl, perspective, photography, sacramento, shoots
I am very pleased to see this photo framed. My mom asked if she could have it to be displayed in her new bar area in the house. It looks fabulous! We also framed another photo that I took when I went blueberry picking on Vashon Island in Seattle.
This is the third house that has now become decorated with my photography. I am humbled. I can’t wait to have my first show in April at the GiGi Bar.
Tags: bar, beer, candle, glasses, ipa, photography, portland, reflections, scotch, stark street, vintage, whiskey
I had a great evening last night with Junet and some friends. Dinner at Tapa The World was yummers. After dinner, we went to Celestin’s for a drink and rum cake. The rum cake was served on a puddle of rum which tempted me to walk over to the bar, grab a straw and yep – take a sip. There’s nothin like doin shots through a straw.
I guess it doesn’t take long to begin living the motto: “Keep Portland Weird”. Although, I think I’ve always been weird.
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Tags: bar, celestin's, friends, junet, keep portland weird, lamp, light, monkey, rum, run cake, sacramento, shots, straw, tapa the world
The weather in Portland has finally turned. I think. This week it’s been rainy one day and overcast the next. I realized how quickly I’ve already acclimated to being a duck in the northwest when I arrived at the Sacramento Airport yesterday. I think I about melted as I waited outside on the curb for my mom to pick me up. Wow that Sacramento Fall sunshine is warm.
Tags: airplane, airport, autumn, duck, fall, flights, flying, melted, mom, overcast, plane, portland, rain, rainy, sacramento, southwest airlines, sun, travel
On Monday afternoon, I did volunteer work for Step It Up, Inc. I was asked to go to Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt’s (2nd largest law firm in Oregon) employee workplace giving campaign kick off luncheon and present on behalf of Step It Up, Inc. I thought. Easy. Piece of cake. This was my job at the American Cancer Society in Charlotte. I would love to do this volunteer job today!
Little did I realize that Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt’s office is on the 19th floor in downtown Portland across the street from city hall. Way cool! Of course, I was totally distracted by the incredible views all around the building.
Tags: 19th floor, 2nd largest law firm, american cancer society, autumn, charlotte, employee workplace giving campaign, fall, fall colors, NC, oregon, portland, portland city hall, schwabe, step it up inc, views, volunteer, williamson and wyatt
There is nothing like seeing the excitement in a child’s eyes over something as simple as a pumpkin. I got to experience that feeling this weekend after spending the weekend with my sister and her family out at the Oregon coast. On Sunday, we caravanned back to Portland to spend another night together. I had the best time playing with my nephew and experiencing the newness of life and words with him. It made me chuckle each time he’d run over to the pumpkinand worty gourds displayed in my living room and say, “PUMPkinssssssss!” I’d respond to him, “Yes, boo…that’s a pumpkin.” He’d smile big showing me all his new teeth and then run off into the living room to find more new things to play with.
My cup runneth over.
Tags: autumn, caravanned, child, coast, eyes, fall, family, gourds, halloween, house, living room, oregon, patch, portland, pumpkins, sister, warty
Sprina amazes me. She never stops. This look I was able to capture is what I think the essence of Sprina. Determination. This year alone, Sprina planned and organized her own wedding, she is currently going through Grad school, she’s working for a local designer in the northwest, she is the current board president of Step It Up, Inc., and she is involved with her family & local community. Every time I talk with her Sprina has a new project up her sleeve. She never stops.
I enjoy witnessing the fire inside of her that drives her to achieve her goals and dreams.
Tags: board president, community, designer, determination, determined, dreams, enjoy, family, golas, grad school, inc., involved, local, northwest, oregon, photography, photos, portland, portraits, sleeve, sprina, Step It Up
