Barrie, Ed, Maggie, Megan, Killer and Lupe - A Christmas Card Shoot, Blogged a Bit Late

Here's another shoot from last year that I never shared with you folks. (Well, ok, I did blog a couple images here and there, but I wanted to share a few more with you all, particularly because it was just so fun.)

Now Barrie and Ed have an annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party at their house, and I usually go because it's the most fun you can have without doing something illegal. So it will come as no surprise to you that their house is well stocked with Christmas decor and attire.

I'd like to also point out that Lupe (the dog) and Killer (the cat) previous to this photo were absolutely 100% against being in the same room, but they put aside their differences for the 1/150 of a second that it took to take this photo. No, photography is not always the best mirror for reality.

Notice Killer is no longer in the photo.

Then of course we needed some shots of Ed and Barrie and Lupe.

And some of Maggie and Megan. One of the bells from Megan's sweater came off.

Then a couple of the siblings.

My complicated lighting setup: windows on the left, umbrella and flash on the right.

Ok, finally done with Christmas. On to 2012!

Back with some Cats!

Oh, guys, I've missed you! I never meant to be away for so long, it was just one thing and another, and I stayed away from the computer, then the internet was down, and then I worked on some blog posts and was interrupted and never finished them.

All this to say, life has interfered with blogging. A sad state of affairs, I agree.

But I'm back, with some more adoptable cats. I know that's what you've been wanting, I do. Only the best for you!

I hope you're all looking forward to whatever your New Year's Eve plans are. Evan and I are trying to decide between maybe going to a couple of parties, or maybe staying home and being lame alone together. Popping some bubbly, sitting back on the couch with Mouse and Chee (no bubbly for them, sorry guys!) and just hanging out the two of us.

But we might decide that's just too lame, even for us. We'll see. 

So anyway, have a look at some cats, and then tell me what you're doing tonight. I'd love to hear your plans!

This is Peony. She is super sweet; I almost took her home. She crawled on my lap after about two minutes of introductions. And she's so pretty. I have a weakness for gray kitties.

 And this doll is Shae. She's a little shy, but also really sweet. She likes being held and she appreciates a good head scratch.

This one's appropriately named - Sheba. She's energetic and definitely meant to rule her roost. And she's so beautiful.

 Last but not least is little Karl. He's a spunky kid; he's got so much energy and such a small spot to hang out in at the shelter - I hope he gets picked up soon. He'd make a great pet for someone willing to work through the kitten phase with him.

 How can you resist those eyes?

As always, you can find the ACC cats on Petfinder here. They're having a special - 50% off all adoptions through today. Happy browsing!

Camp Royaneh - Our Wedding Location

So THIS is where we're getting married.

Aren't you excited? I'm really excited. It's kind of perfect. Not too formal, with plenty of gorgeous trees and nature around, places for guests to bunk should they choose to spend the night, and it's not too far away. I can't wait, personally.

I just wish the wedding would plan itself. Little chance of that, though.

Yes, it's a Boy Scout camp. Isn't that cute? Evan even went here as a boy scout a couple of times. 

Here's the visitor center. At least I think that's what it's called.

The dining hall. 

Some of the local foliage.

I love all the wooden signs scattered about. They add such a great touch to the place. 

So, you could sleep here! You might want to bring a sleeping bag, though. 

And this is the "chapel." 

Other possible sleeping arrangements. Not the Hilton, that's for sure. 

We will NOT be using the shotgun range. I think that's a wise decision. 

Isn't it great? Where did you get married? Or where do you want to get married if you haven't tied the knot yet?

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.

San Francisco View

Change of Season

It started raining today, and I don't know why, but it soothed me. I stepped out onto the speckled street, felt the hint of a bite in the air, and I breathed long.

It's time. I can feel it. Time for tea, and for spices, and also for orange and amber and warm browns. Candles. Pumpkins, apples, squash, apple pie. Indian summer was good to us, and it's probably not quite over, but I'm ready for fall. And winter, as much as we ever get it here.

I know this is a little scruffy looking, but I just LOVE the colors in the background. Fall, here we come!

Reflections

Landscape

It's been noted by quite a few commenters that I've been using slightly longer lenses of late (I am really truly smitten with the 85mm and the 50mm, possibly to an unhealthy degree), and posting more detail shots and less scenics. All of this is definitely true. I plead guilty. I think it comes from spending so much time in the city - there are only so many cityscapes, and I get tired of seeing the same streets and houses day after day. Detail shots always feel a little fresher to me, somehow. I can find things that I never noticed before.

But anyway, here's a landscape-y photo for y'all that I kind of liked the light on. It's true, I focused close to the camera and so the background's a bit out of focus (even though this was f/16 - aperture doesn't guarantee sharpness). I knew this was happening in camera, and I have a few shots where everything's in focus, but I like this one better for some reason. Anyway.

This shot happened as Evan and I were driving down the highway and the light got really pretty all of a sudden. I begged and pleaded with him to stop, so we took a random exit off and found this field and trees and mountains, all just waiting to be photographed.

So, there's your wide-angle shot for the week. Enjoy!

Plus, a very patriotic cake.

And an interesting monograph on the power structure of the United States.

Attempting to create a new habit or change something in your life? Have you completed Step One?

10 Things I Have Learned by Milton Glaser. Really good points here.

Also, echolocation in humans? Maybe not as implausible as you might think. This is a stunning story. Easily the most inspiring thing I've read in quite a while.

On another note, ever wondered if you might be slightly autistic? You can take the test. I scored a 10 (definitely not autistic, 16 is average - I wasn't worried, whatever I am it's not autistic).

Also, if you're in SF this week, you might want to visit Adobe's pop-up store. Lots of great free events going down there, seems like.

Tunnel

Can you believe there's still snow in Lake Tahoe this time of year? It's crazy! But kind of photogenic . . .

On a totally unrelated topic, this is probably the only chess game I would get really excited to play . . . but it's a little out of my price range. Maybe next year . . .

Weeds

Or wildflowers. Depends on your perspective, right? If you're sitting in the hot sun, trowel in hand, trying to eradicate that stubborn dandelion, you're probably in the former camp. If you're going for a hike on a long weekend, breathing in the pure mountain air, you might be thinking along the lines of the latter.

I think sometimes we forget that it's all perspective. Just because we can give something a name doesn't mean it's the right one. And names don't make things so. I can tell you that when I came upon these, I breathed "wildflowers," lay down in the dirt, and took a few pictures. With nary a trowel to be seen on the premises.