I have a friend who long ago requested that some day I give her a locket with a photo of me/C-dawg in it. So, on the day of her birth I gave her a locket with a photo of me C-dawg in it:
The best part (besides the massive smile on her face when she opened the locket): she showed her new treasure to a friend at her bonfire beach birthday party her friend asked “Are those your parents?!” Double ha!
A trip to Washington…our last hurrah for summer. Since we don’t ever really get to DO summer because of our jobs it sure feels good to …
go on boat rides and wear red life vests…
take some photos while still wearing the red life vest…
really try to work the red life vest…
Got my foot stuck in the oooooey mud (no red life vest in this one)…
Boating and kayaking!
Yes, these are really my white skinny arms….
And perhaps the most life changing moment: buying a madolin! I can play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, have cut my nails and am working on getting good, thick calluses on my finger tips.
Love ya, summer. I’m drinking my last bit of watermelon juice while also eating pumpkin pie. The transition to Fall has begun.
We went blackberry picking today…yes’m I mighty reckon we did. The berries were sweet, their thorns were sharp and I ate most of my goods (in other words my bucket wasn’t very full). C-tron was the best picker. Or maybe I’m the best picker because I picked the best picker?
Guess what I just did…
I wheeled in my old school Steelcase chair from my desk to the kitchen…poured myself some coffee…wheeled back to my desk (without spilling the coffee)…wheeled back to the kitchen to get a glass of water…wheeled back to my desk…then wheeled over to my dog to give him a hug…then back to my desk….all without getting off of my tush once!
Practicing for the nursing home.
I promise I’m not narcissistic…seriously, I promise. On our matrimonial day I “vowed” to my photo husband that I’d let him take my picture so in my attempt to fulfill my wifely duties I agreed to be his muse so he could test a lighting set up. Usually I keep my eyes closed or make awful faces or have not showered for several days (quite a common theme on this blournal), but considering what he had to work with I have to say he produced some pretty incredible photos. Of course, with C-tron the words beautiful + photo are essentially synonymous but the words Ali + portrait usually doesn’t pan out.
Thank you C-tron! What a fun/unexpected gift today!
I have to share a fun video my bro and I created for DP (watch all the way to the end…the end is the best):
If only I had this striking yet silly dude around all the time…all the other videos I’ve made are lame.
This is what it is like to come home from work if you are in my family:
A room full of folks with jazz hands.
(Photo taken by my brother with his iphone as he entered the room full of crazy folks).
Yes, I’ve learned that it is good to be picky, as long as you’re not toooooo picky. And, I’ve also learned that if you are picky you’ll look cooler if you wear sweet shades.
In addition to eating out at least 23985923532987 times a year, I deem that it is required that everyone “slip ‘n slide” at least once every summer for as many years as your bones will take it.
And I’m not talking about just watching kids slip ‘n slide. I’m talking about actually going for it yourself, even if before your first run you think to yourself “I hope I don’t break my arm because I need to use it for an important job this weekend” or even if your top accidentally falls off mid run…it is all ok. It is good for your spirit. Just try it, you’ll see. And if you are really afraid, maybe get a taste for the water first.
Yes, my body hurt like heck the next day and I only did the slip ‘n slide like 5 times in a matter of 10 minutes but it was one of the best times I’ve had all summer. And I didn’t break my arm.
In celebration of the summer solstice we didn’t just go to Ikea for their somorgasbord, oh no…we went to Maggie’s for a surprise picnic! We had planned a pot luck and when we got to Maggie’s she declared, “We’re eating outside tonight!” (that didn’t sound very Maggie-ish…she would probably include some weasels and such). So, the six of us took our potluck’n foods and walked to Lake Merritt and man alive did Maggie whip out her hostessing prowess! There were candles and flowers and flavored waters of all sorts and palm leaf plates and wines and tablecloths and nice napkins that smelled good and cold corn vichyssoise with creme fraiche and watermelon salad and a plentiful veggie risotto and more wine and great conversation and a beautiful night and good friends. Unfortunately, the one thing that we were missing was a good camera. Dagnabbit!
But, two iphone photos to give you an idea:
When the cold set in we took our empty bowls and baskets and and went back to the warmth of Maggie’s apartment for berries and ice cream and Tartine treats! (thanks to the e. bean). It was an awesome night that lead me to think:
EVERYONE SHOULD EAT OUTSIDE AT LEAST 2938592837597 TIMES A YEAR!
It is good for your health.