R-E-S-P-E-C-T

So today I decided to put my ipod on shuffle and it did me proud. An Aretha Franklin song came on and it just rocked my world. I forgot just how great her songs are. But the bizarre thing is that I used to hate the song Say A Little Prayer For Me, possibly because of the relation to My Best Friends Wedding. But for some reason today it especially rocked my world. So here it is.



I also must include this performance of Day Dreaming. Its great.



I couldn't post something about Aretha and not post R-E-S-P-E-C-T. So here its is.

P.s. its epic.

Loving My Breaks A Little Too Much.

So lately I've began to notice just how I enjoy going on my half at work. It's a combination of things that can make it great. First there's the obvious factor, I get to stop working for a bit. Especially since I'm at the point where I remember why I quit this job so many times. But when you add in a cigarette and a country band playing in the marine room, its amazing. It's just so calming for some reason. Or if the bands off that day a nice sunset does the trick too. But either way I work in a super nice place so it's nice to enjoy it on my half.

P.s. 9 months till 21!!!

Complicating The Already Complicated.

Life is complicated. Its simple. There's no other way to explain it. But what makes it so much worse is that I over-complicate the already complicated. Why I do this I have no idea. Sometimes I wish I could turn my thoughts off, but at the same time I love my over-thinking. I just wish it wouldn't cause so much stress.

One Small Step For Puppies Everywhere.

I always love when I see paw prints in concrete, expecially puppy paw prints. I like puppy prints the best because that way there will always be proof of a dogs younger years. It always makes me smile because I can just imagine a puppy getting into trouble and walking all over the wet concrete....so cute!

As The Lights Changed.

I was standing in Laguna on my half listening to the waves crash against the shore. While doing this, I was watching the traffic light change from green to yellow to red. It became the chorus to the song I was listening to. The people and cars were the jumbled lyrics in between. What I didnt realize was that it was actually my song. It's a song about going full speed ahead, then thinking about what you've just done. But by the time you try and stop you've already crashed into the shore.

Hard Road.

Watch this video. Listen to the lyrics. Read the lyrics. Let the lyrics speak to you as they spoke to me.



Lyrics to Hard Road by Sam Roberts.
Feel, feel it grow
In your mind, in your mind
Life is how you live it
Through time, through time

And there's no desert sun that is hot enough to feed your fire
We shipwreck like fools only to become the ocean's choir
And the sun dies until it's reborn
But there's no road that ain't a hard road to travel on

Got lost on the way, but you found the road again
Stay true to your friends, cause they'll save you in the end

There must be something in the air, in the air
Some kind of answer to my prayers, to my prayers
Some kind of answer to my prayers
Been dying since the day I was born
'Cause there's no road that ain't a hard road to travel on

I have a vision in my mind of a life that I've left behind
Yeah, can't you see that lost souls can't swim
You know you'll sink, but you still jump in
And it's alright to get caught stealing back what you've lost
Yeah, don't you know that lost souls can't swim
You beat them back, but they drag you in
And I can't say that I am sorry for all my many sins

And you try to find a love that'll see you through your darkest days
And her soft brown hair is as long as the Canadian highway
When the sun dies until it's reborn
But there's no road that ain't a hard road to travel on

Been dying since the day I was born
'Cause there's no road that ain't a hard road to travel on

There must be something in the air,in the air
(repeat)

The Layers Of Life.

Have you ever noticed that things in life can be sectioned into layers? Some of the best things in life are the things that are made from the layers overlapping or meeting. An example of this would be a reese peanut butter cup. You have your chocolate and your peanut butter, but together it's amazing. Another example would be rain with sunshine causing a rainbow. There are all these different things that are so beautiful. Think about it.

My Photography And The Roads I Could Take It Down.

There are so many aspects of photography. I keep trying to master it and excel in each aspect, but then I'll realize there's another aspect that I've either ignored or never thought about. I have one of those personalities that makes me want to do everything at once, but sadly I cannot. Lately I've been so focused on trying to make my pictures more dynamic and more different so they stick out. But then the other day I was talking to Jeff (who was sitting beside me on my flight home from Calgary) and he was telling me about how he feels the most successful pictures are the ones people can relate to. And he's right. If you cant relate to it then you wont understand it. I love looking at things I don't understand because it lets me know I have many things to learn still and also I like to try and understand it anyways. But that's just me. Most people probably hate looking at something they don't understand. So now when I look through all the pictures I took in Calgary, or any that I have taken in general, there's none that anyone could relate to. So now I have about a million and one projects that I need to shoot. The worst part is that it's killing me a little. I have all these ideas and I'm almost afraid I'll forget what it is I want to do. I mean sure I write them down, but there's always something you forget to write down. My thoughts are consumed in these ideas I have. I wish I had all the time in the world to devote to photography.

Quote Today

She generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it).
-Lewis Carroll

Define Home.

When you’ve moved as much as I have, you define home differently than most. Some call home where ever their parents live, while others call their birthplace home. I define my home as Calgary. Why? Because I lived in Calgary for 7 years. It’s the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere, which means I have the most memories there. It’s also where I became very aware about the rest of the world. I had my first boyfriend in Calgary which also brought my first kiss, first dance, and first break up. It’s where I started high school and where I made life long friends. It’s also where my family endured it’s best and worst times. I faced my worst experience in Calgary, which will make it a big part of my life forever. So because it’s been such a crucial part of my life, I can’t go more than a year without going back. I’m not too sure how long exactly it’s been since I’ve been back, but I know it’s been too long. I’ve began to travel to other places and experience new things. I always get caught up in going somewhere new. Once I’ve been somewhere, I’m always on to the next thing. But every once in a while it’s nice to go back. It’s nice to see friendly faces that love you for you.

The friends I have in Calgary are life long friends for the simple reason that they’ve seen me through it all. They were there to watch me awkwardly grow and have seen most of my embarrassing moments or at least have heard about them, and I them. We are tied together by the memories of our childhood past. Back when things were simple and we only worried about where we were going to camp out that weekend. But were also tied by the fact that we went through the growing process together. We were there for each as life began to get more confusing and more frustrating. We became dependent on each other for support as life got harder and it will be a life long dependence I’m sure. I’ve always been scared of being dependent on others. People can leave you, people can hurt you, and people can sure as hell screw you over. But for some reason I’m okay with being dependent on the people I cherish so much in Calgary. I think it’s because before I began to question trust, I trusted these people and to this day, these select people have never let me down. They are the rocks I lean on.

I like the idea of moving around a lot. I like the idea of keeping people on their toes and never staying in the same place too long. I want to see the world and I refuse to be held down. Anyone can travel and move around if they want to, but in the end it’s easier for most not to. Most don’t have the desire to move and live in another city. They are happy where they are and that’s okay, but for me, living in the same place will never satisfy me. At least not for a very long time. I want to meet as many people as I can and I want to see as much as I can. I’ve met people with the same perspective as me, with one major difference. They want to meet many people but they don’t stay in contact with them. What’s the point in that? I sure don’t understand it. I personally love each person I’ve become friends with and I try and stay in contact with as many people as I can. I want people to be apart of my journey, but I want them to stay apart of it. I know some people are just meant to make an appearance, but I always hope that everyone will be a main character. When someone only makes an appearance, it means you have to say goodbye. I’ve always been bad at saying goodbye. It’s hard to admit that you wont see someone again. What makes it worse is that when I visit Calgary, people always think it’s the last time they’ll see me. So we have an amazing time and then they pull out the super long hug that feels like your loosing apart of yourself when you finally let go. They don’t know what I’ll do and when I’ll be back. And it’s true that I also don’t know. It could be another year before I’m back in Calgary again after this trip. But I know I’ll always go back. Going back home is always humbling and sometimes you need to be humbled. Sometimes you have to return to where it all began. If your feeling lost, it’s a great thing to do.

Right now, in my life, I’m at a crossroads. I can move to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. Either one of these places would be a great experience for me. If I go to San Fran then I will have another chance to branch out like I did in Vancouver. I know I’ll meet some amazing people and it would be the college experience I’ve always wanted. But if I move to Santa Barbara then I’ll be closer to my sister and I’ll be able to fully immerse myself in my photography, which is something i’d really like to do. In the end it always comes down to money I suppose. I’m not too sure where I’ll decide to go. But I still have some time to figure it out.

The Airport.

The airport is a strange place. It’s a place of transition. People are either taking a journey somewhere or heading home. The basic question; business or pleasure? Now what I don’t understand is why after so many airport visits I still cannot seem to be prepared enough for the journey. Today I forgot to pack my phone and laptop chargers. So half way to the airport I had to make my friend drive back. Time wasting is my specialty it seems. Thank goodness I remembered my passport. Then once I got to the airport, I didn’t know which airline I was checking in to. This is because I booked my flight with Air Canada, but the flight was actually with United. It’s all very confusing and I’m just glad I found my way to the gate. Most people always complain about delayed flights and having to sit in the airport for an extra hour or two. But I personally love sitting in the airport. It’s one of my favorite people watching places. At the airport you have people from all walks of life. While people watching at the airport today I did notice two things. The first was that woman wear the most awkward shoes to the airport. I saw a lot of tiny heels that slip off very easily and cause problems when your also pulling luggage. I mean why not make it easier on yourself and wear flats? The other thing I saw a lot of was fanny packs. I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. Fanny Packs are coming back. I always see people rocking them, especially at airports and fairs.

Dramatic Moments.

Dramatic moments really are the best. They are the moments that define everything. Little may happen, but so much is happening at the same time.

In this clip, for example, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett are both realizing their feelings for each other. But at the same time Elizabeth does not know what to think about Mr. Darcy, nor does Darcy about Elizabeth. I think it's the moment when they both open their minds to the idea of each other. I love this scene:



If i'm going to include that scene then I must include this one as well. This is the moment when Darcy professes his love for Elizabeth. But instead of admitting she feels the same, Elizabeth calls Darcy out on his shit. It's great!