My Birthday Shoes

These are my birthday shoes. Aren't they cute?

The first time Evan saw them, he said they looked like bowling shoes.

I promptly decided to divorce him. But . . . then he did something cute (like he always does) and I reconsidered. Still, a man needs to learn not to mess with his woman over shoes. It's always a bad call.

The shoes come from J Shoes, a British shoe company that makes really lovely footwear. I particularly love the old-fashioned look of the soles of these ones, and I had to take a picture before I put them on and permanently scuffed them up.

So why are they my birthday shoes? Well, J Shoes was crazy generous enough to email me with an 80% off coupon during their winter sale (which is now over, sorry ladies), making shoes that had previously been $200 (out of my general price range) a mere $20 (MUCH more doable).

Needless to say, I bought a few pairs. So many, in fact, that I just never really put these ones on. I mean, they're white, which can be a difficult color in footwear, subject to so many rules that I can never really figure out when one is allowed to wear it. And it was wintry and rainy for a while, which is also not a great time to wear white shoes.

So they stayed in the closet until May 20 (my birthday) when I finally brought them out. I wore them to my birthday dinner with Evan and my brother and his girlfriend. It was a nice, casual, Thai dinner. (No bowling involved!)

It was a good night, and a great birthday. And what can I say? My feet were happy.

Squeaky and Wigi

Some more cuties from the SF ACC. Adopt them while they're hot!

This is Squeaky. Super cute, and what a lover. Came up to me and tried to cuddle immediately.

And this is Wigi. A little more on the timid side, but super sweet. And very focused on getting back to her particular area during the shoot!

Pier 24

There's something about museums that really gets me. It's zen. I go in, usually feeling like I'm in about five million places - late, disorganized, hair blown about by the wind, five bags hanging gracelessly about me that I sheepishly hand to the coat check. Jittery from too much caffeine and usually flushed or sweaty from rushing to get in the door on time.

But all of that melts away in the first room and I get a glimpse of the deep peace that art gives me. Given the reaction of many others when I suggest a trip to a museum, I would venture to say that this feeling doesn't happen to us all. Evan, for instance, doesn't share my love of museums. I might be fairer to say that he runs the other way screaming unless they are aviation or war related.

Anyway, if you like museums at all, and if you have a hankering to see some good photography, I highly recommend Pier 24. It's a bit of an oddity: it's free, but you need a reservation and they kick you out after two hours. Then again, it's in a glorious location, on the bay right next to the bay bridge, and it's perfect for a contemplative photo walk before or afterwards. There are some stunning photographs there, too. Irving Penn, Lee Friedlander, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Jim Goldberg, Richard Misrach (whose work I was unfamiliar with but I LOVED), Todd Hido (who was also an unexpected treat).

Anyway, highly recommended. If you like museums. I do.

Learning as You Go

This is a great video I yoinked (yes, it's a word!) from Dave Delnea's blog. It's worth watching because it highlights the fact that sometimes in creativity the passion comes first, and then the skills and the methodology tag along behind. Honestly, without the fire and the drive to do it, what do the other things matter anyway? The ability to speak cogently about the entire process is not to be sneezed at, either. And he does a bang-up job.

 
Andrew Zuckerman: On Curiosity, Rigor, and Learning As You Go from 99% on Vimeo.

In a similar vein, Jasmine Star has just written a magazine about her own journey from broke bride to brilliant wedding photographer. I haven't read it yet, but I did order a copy. Partly because I'm an easy sell, I just like her writing, and also because I'm sure I'll learn something new from it. And I'm addicted to reading, so I'm sure I'll make my way through it like a house afire. (Is that the right way to use that expression?)

Five Things That Are Underrated

1. Winter light and shorter days. I don't know why, but I'm getting a real kick out of our slightly changing seasons here. It's nice to see the longer shadows on the pavement, and being outside at five in the evening means magical light.

2. Unexpected warm breezes. I was in a Bart station a few days ago, and it might sound weird, but the approaching train made me feel like I was back on an island somewhere. So I closed my eyes and just enjoyed it.

3. People who are quirky. Give me someone who's passionate on a subject I've never even heard of, and I'm fascinated. I love it when you feel like you've pegged someone as a normal nine to fiver and then you find out that they cultivate bonsai religiously. Or they've written three books on vampires that haven't been published yet. (Watch out, Twilight!)

4. Good smells. Our local supermarket smells like cinnamon in the entryway right now (probably to manipulate us into a holiday spirit so we buy more groceries, but, whatever).

5. Abandoned evidence of a good time. The scene on this table made me take a picture. What a lovely setting for a good cup of coffee with a friend. I imagine they only talked of poetry and friends they had in common.

So, what about you? Something you love that no one else appreciates?

More Kittens!

More kittens (and a few cats) from the ACC. I have to really hand it to Kimberly Saunders; she's taken it upon herself to raise the level of photography at the shelter, and she's doing a fantastic job - all as a volunteer. And the kittens are darling, especially this group. If I didn't already have two rambunctious cats (one of whom is trying desperately to drink my smoothie as we speak), I'd be hard pressed not to take a kitten or two home.

Evan would be really mad at me if I did.

So I won't. At least not this week. But it's pretty hard to resist.

Anyway, here's this week's crop!

If you'd like to adopt one, go on right ahead!

*If you'd like to buy a print directly from the blog, now you can! I'm trying out Fotomoto's service. Just click the 'Buy Print' button beneath any photo and choose the size you prefer. All files will be optimized for print by me after you order. Fun!*

Toothsome Thursday

The new s'mores cupcake from our friends at OvenLovin. Um, it's seriously heaven. Way better than a real s'mores. And I don't even know why I'm posting about it, because it just makes me want one.

Now, I doubt it's going to be as good, but here's a recent recipe from SpoonForkBacon for s'mores cupcakes. Looks like it's missing out on all the delicious layered magic of this one, though. Graham cracker, chocolate, some magic, mmmmmm . . .

Animal Love!

More adoptable cuties from the ACC! This is Tayto. He's a love bundle. Really.

And this is Tony. Isn't he gorgeous?

The ACC is the only shelter in San Francisco that also accepts small animals, like rats. These two were super sweet and pretty brave, considering they were meeting me for the first time.

Wordless Weekend - Bay Bridge

Wordless Weekend - Ripples

Toothsome Thursday

I took this in August, when tomatoes were having their heyday. I loved this angle of light coming from the window behind the tomatoes. Ah, the fruits of summer!

Kittens at the ACC

Would it be strange or wrong to say that I've always wanted to volunteer as a photographer for an animal shelter? Because that's kind of how this story begins.

So once I got the chance to work with Animal Care and Control in San Francisco, I'd say I jumped at the chance. Taking good care of all animals has always been a priority for me. I can't exactly say why, and I know that there are those who might not understand, but if I have the opportunity to help an animal, I'll take it.

Especially if I get to use my camera at the same time.

For my first hour long session, we started with something pretty easy: kittens. I mean, it's pretty hard to take a picture of a kitten that doesn't just make your heart melt, am I right?

So, enjoy! And if you like what you see, they're all adoptable!