If there ever was a "Where to begin" this is it!

As I wrote in my last post, this month has been about reconnecting with old, but never forgotten, friends whom I'd lost contact with.

My friend Carrie hooked me up with her husbands advertising/marketing agency based in Las Vegas.  They flew me down there on Wednesday to go over the photo gear, to meet the others in the company, and to discuss upcoming events that I will be shooting. 

I am still in shock, it seems too good to be true!  Since having to close down the camera shop almost 3 years ago, along with several other hardships, The Honey and I have had a rough time of it.  My two part-time jobs just haven't been enough financially, artistically or personally.  I will miss my "old folks" terribly and feel a bit like I am abandoning them.  I will have to find some very good care for them before I feel completely good about my new and much appreciated opportunity. 

I fly out of here on Wednesday to Massachusetts where I will be photographing the last American Idol concert tour show, then off to Maryland the next day to photograph a Blake Shelton concert, then the next night I will be in Texas shooting a Kid Rock concert.  Four days until my new Jet-Setter life begins!

I am nervous and excited but above all I am hopeful again.  I lost myself for a long time.  Wish me luck!

Where to begin?  This month has has been crazy-good and full of mostly great stuff.  Through facebook, I have gotten back in touch with three old and dear friends. 

The first was Sheila, the one I took the road trip with earlier this month, I think it had been 7 years since we'd last seen each other.  As teens we spent hours of cofee drinking downtown and seeing punk shows.  We have travelled together and seen some pretty cool stuff along the way.

Then came Katie.  We had had a stupid falling out 10 years ago but I had missed her so much over the years and after multiple attempts to find her she was finally on facebook! Now we talk on the phone constantly, sometimes for hours which my boyfriend can't comprehend, and it feels like a big part of me is restored.  We have adopted a beagle that she was caring for and renamed him "Ollie". Yeah, 3 dogs and 4 cats now!

My high school friend Carrie, who I last saw 10 years ago while attending a convention in Las Vegas is now living in Hawaii with her family. A 3 hour long phone call was just the tip of the ice burg in catching up and I look so forward to seeing her in December when she comes for a visit.  She hooked me up with her and her husbands company to do some photography in the very near future.  Yeah, work!

Back in February, my best friend and I stopped talking to each other...rather he did and it devastated me.  I suddenly felt so alone.  Apparently, the heavens took pity on me and sent me these 3 wonderful friends and I am so grateful for them! 

                            
                                                                             Sheila

   

                                                                             Katie

Carrie

Ollie

Seemingly Random Photos

Last Thursday I went on a much needed mini vacation with my friend Sheila whom I've known since we were kids.  She now lives in Spain with her husband and baby boy Julen.  I hadn't seen her in 6 years but she is one of those people in life where years go by but it seems that no time has passed between us. 

We travel well together.  That can't be said of some folks!  We did a road trip many years ago from Colombia, Missouri to New Orleans and back, great fun.  On another journey, we were bumped off our stand-by flight to Costa Rica and ended up in Thailand instead! So, when our plans changed from going north to Oregon to going south to L.A. and San Diego we just rolled with it. 

It was a wonderful few days but for the horrendous traffic.  The drive back took more than 10 hours on the not so scenic Interstate 5!

The first two nights were spent at my friend William's in Glendale where we swam, had yummy cocktails and delicious grilled veggies and pork loin for the carnivores.  His place was super chill and filled with cool peeps. Sheila even got her hair cut by Richard, a Hollywood hair guy.

Then it was off to Solano Beach where we met up with Sheila's old friend, Wren at her folks beautiful home.  We walked through the small old part of town, checked out some cool but expensive shops then headed to the beach where the sun was conveniently setting.  We spent the night there at Mike and Betzy's (really nice and generous hosts).  Mike gave me a tour of his incredible gardens and even sent me home with tons of succulent and other cuttings.  Heaven!

On Sunday, we met up with Wren in Balboa Park in San Diego.  How had I never heard of the place?  It was massive and filled with various types of gardens and museums.  We had cold udon salads at the Japanese tea garden, checked out the botanical and succulent/cactus garden among other places.  We ended the day in Old San Diego, a surreal little place filled with Spanish built buildings, Mexican goods and food, and tons of tourists. 

We spent the last night at lovely Wren's lovely house looking through her photo books and talking of travel and art and the such. 

It was such a needed trip filled with great people, conversations, food and sights.  I am ready for another one soon, but on an airplane!