no hard feelings, facebook

I've been thinking a lot about this, and I think the time has come to terminate my Facebook photography page. I honestly don't see the point in it anymore. When I first began blogging and spreading my work out into the inter-webs, I thought I had to have a hand in everything, including a Facebook page to promote my photography. I have half-assed all social media outlets because I didn't whole ass it into this blog. And yes, I'm referring to the Ron Swanson quote: "Don't half-ass two things; whole-ass one thing."

I was going through my Instagram and feel as though lately, my feed has been garbage. I guess I feel obligated to post and half-ass it. If you want to really see my those portable shots that have thought behind them, you can look at my photodiary tumblr tag. I'm just done spreading myself across several platforms for no freakin' reason. I follow a fellow photographer on tumblr who has three separate tumblogs for three different cameras: his main is for his DSLR/portfolio-ish photographs, the second is all iphone photos, and the THIRD is for his ILC. I thought,"Damn, dude, trim it down." I realized, I was doing something similar. I'm whole-assing it into this blog lately. I'm also whole-assing my portfolio website to debut it in June. Yep, June. Keep an eye out for that. Basically, it boils down to I hate my Facebook page, I'm even contemplating leaving my personal Facebook page behind.

Look at these other outlets for my photography and just me:
Tumblr | Photodiary | Twitter | 365 Project

currently...

Sometimes, I don't really know what to write here during the dull moments of my life. Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky recently did a post about that. With more of an audience, the pressure for her is greater, I'm sure. My blog doesn't revolve around what I wear, like hers does, so I have a bit more flexibility with my content. To fill these moments of dully daily stuff (went to work, came home, ate leftovers, binge watch Gossip Girl, blah, blah, blah), I'll update on occasion with a "currently" post to stay up to date.

listen: Reflektor! Oh, man, this album is amazing. I have taking in everything Arcade Fire lately. Not a bad thing, but this new album is refreshing and exciting. Matt pre-ordered it on vinyl, which is perfect because I usually only have time to listen to one side. I'll probably do a more in depth Arcade Fire post, but this album is just what the doctor ordered.
read: I am very into reading JM Barrie's Peter Pan. It's quick, easy, and a very fun read. In my head, I keep imagining the movie Hook, but that's because I wasn't as obsessed with the animated Peter Pan as I was obsessed with Hook.
watch: Gossip Girl binge-watching on Netflix. I stopped watching it when I aired just before season 4 ended. I'm now on episodes I've never seen and I can honestly say that I completely understand why it got cancelled. Started out strong, but I feel like it's the same story lines of blackmail and backstabbing. That doesn't mean I'm not enjoying it, but I wish it was better.
eat & drink: I want to make my own chili. My mom ended up making some last night, but I have never made chili, mostly because I hate beans. However, I can substitute beans for vegetables I enjoy and delight in the magical comfort of warm food in my belly. I've been drinking a lot of tea, too, lately. At work we've got a really delicious Pumpkin Spice tea by Harney & Sons that I make into a tea latte.

oh, i've been here the whole time

I have been more focused on my 365 project than usual. I suppose that is a good thing. I have been trying to work outside of my rut and experiment with photo manipulation a little bit more. I am also working on my shoots still from Stephanie, as well as my brother's event. On top of all of that, I'm also adjusting to my new position in the cafe at work, which has been pretty fun. I have worked with Mary twice this week. That was a blast. I'm learning some new and old things. It's all coming back to me, slowly, but surely. I am three books away from finishing my 35 books in 2013. I cut out five from my goal of 40 last year, but who knows? since I have surpassed my lesser goal this year, maybe I can beat last years. Who knows? Maybe I'll be too busy, as usual to bypass my goal for last year. Holidays are coming up quickly and I just can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. Where did the time go?

pain, summer, yeezus

Since I'm bedridden at the moment, I figured it was time to update. I went to the doctor today because I woke up with a sharp pain in my lower abdomen on the right side. Getting an appointment turned out to be tricky and when I was there, I was put through a bunch of tests, but they showed up normal. No ruptured appendix, at least. It still could be inflamed...we didn't do a CT yet, but that's the next step. Blurgh! I told Matt about all of the appendicitis that hit our job a few years ago. I vaguely remember the order in which my co-workers had it, but it was all within the span of one summer. Freaky shit. So I'm in bed, nauseated, and trying to ignore the pain. Matt has been a trooper, keeping me company and not complaining about my inability to really do nothing except watch the OC and read. And I guess, now blog.
Other than the medical stuff I just mentioned, I've been pretty well. I've been working on a story, working my job, photographing, laughing, and having some really good times. Last week Friday, Matt and I went downtown to try to see one of the Kanye West projections, but due to some lack of permits (come on, seriously?!) only one happened in the Third Ward. It was too early for us to have gone to it (Matt had to work), but we ended up walking downtown and along the Riverwalk. What could've been a major disappointment turned out to be a nice low-key evening. The next day, I closed, picked up Laura (in town for Father's Day), and went to Walter's with my co-workers. It was a very good time and Laura said she hadn't laughed like that in a while. I'm glad we could provide her with top-notch entertainment. I saw This Is The End, which was hilarious. By the end of the movie, the audience was applauding. I'd love to see it again. Yesterday, I picked up the new Kanye West cd before I went to work for Matt. All I have to say about it is HOLY EFF. Just whoa. It's just so good! So many of the beats were stuck in my head at work yesterday. And there's no way that you can say some of the lyrics out loud...unless you're alone, hah. It's been really warm here lately. Slightly less warm today, but still shorts weather. Let's make it last, Wisconsin!

more Riverwalk photos here

sun in your eyes

I want to start out and say this has been one of the best months this year. My birthday has a little bit to do with it, but I feel like a lot of good things are happening and it's almost over! Where the hell does the time go? I've been obsessing over the new Grizzly Bear album Shields. We play it at work so I try to limit my at-home listening so I won't get sick of it, but with Grizzly Bear, that is impossible. Did you see my recent post on my favorite Grizzly Bear tracks? You most certainly should check it out. This week has been about gathering friends to get to know one another better and our impromptu therapy session that starts once we imbibe. We get to know the people that are just starting. I felt like a fish out of water when I first started, but once you realize everyone is nice and you can ask questions if you've got 'em.

I got to get coffee with my girl, Erin. I get so excited to see my little Wong and to give her her care package.

As soon as I saw that Domo Panda, I knew Erin would love it. She gave it a big ol' squeeze before setting it down. I gave her a journal write down her thoughts (the good, the bad, and the ugly), a book of Minnesotan poets and a angry bull keychain. That day, we went on a family trip to Target. Took so much of my energy to not buy everything. I saw my dad today and he gave me a Target gift card. YES!! I'm in HEAVEN. On the day that Erin, Matt, and I went on our family trip to Target, I was easily swayed to purchase this calculator watch so Matt & I can match. Today, I had to drive all the way out in the middle of nowhere to go to my dad's for a triple birthday party-- mine, Justin, and Emiliano (my other brothers). Since I only started to get to know them, I tried to give them gifts that say a little bit about me, as well as something that they would enjoy. I put a lot of thought into my presents so that there is always a cool story behind them.

I think my favorite present that I got is featured in the photograph right above this paragraph. It's Jack Skellington hanging out Notorious B.I.G. He's tiny, yet round. I love how non-threatening he looks. It's great. I have my dearest Matt to thank for Biggie, as well as Can't Hardly Wait and Save the Last Dance. So, the classics, obviously!

One last quick thing before I end this post, I have been trying to be more present on my other social media sites so make sure follow me on the links below:

twitter | photodiary | tumblr | flickr | last.fm | pinterest | instagram

And now, I leave you with the Grizzly Bear song that makes me love them even more. Enjoy!

a vanishing act

I know it seems like I may have pulled a vanishing act since I am barely posting right now, but I just wanted to update to let any readers know that I am still here. There are a lot of things going on here that aren't conducive to me keeping up with this blog. I'm not going to give up, though. I feel like since I haven't been in school for a minute, it's like an on-going school project or something. It keeps me from becoming a couch potato and adventuring. I haven't done much of the latter because my car is a piece of crud and falls apart every time I drive it. I want to drive up to Holy Hill, but even that little bit of travel may get me stranded up in the boonies. So for now, I will just have some instagram photos to update you on my life lately.

Laura was visiting from Chicago and she was so excited to drink from our "Soft Kitty" mug.

busy bee

Speaking of bees, Jessica found a bee trying to make a home in one of our empty plant pots on our balcony. It looks so cool! I told her I was going to take 50 different pictures of it from different angles just because back when I was in high school, I took a picture of a dead bee in her sisters room on Jessica's camera. It's now a funny joke with us, but it was really cool! Sorry for being enthusiastic...

It's been a busy week for me. Where did all of the time go? I don't know. I feel like I was just running running running all week long. Even today, which was supposed to be my off day, I wasn't really home. I'm a total homebody so I feel weird when I don't get a minute to just relax on the couch or my bed. My grandma and uncle were in town from New York. They return tomorrow, but at least I was able to have breakfast with them today. That was great because I hardly get to see either of them. I'll have to plan another NYC trip, but this year, I may be going to Vermont. I'm hoping I get to go. Oh, that'd be so fun. I mean, BEN&JERRY'S?! That's all I can think about. A giant bucket of a sundae like that challenge I saw on Travel channel a while ago. I'd never be able to finish it, but damn, I'd enjoy all of that ice cream. Anyone doing any fun trips this summer?

on the shelf: an update

Please excuse my voice. I am getting sick, I think.

Untitled from Elis on Vimeo.