HOLD FAST STRAPS

If this all leather gun holsteresque strap isn't the coolest thing ever, I'm not sure what is. Jake purchased this right before our trip to the Middle East, and I'm pretty sure it made his photos better.
Try one for yourself, and magically transform into the fastest draw in the west. http://holdfastgear.com/

JERUSALEM // ISRAEL

We found ourselves in the Middle East again, because we needed more footage to complete the documentary that Jake is a part of. This time, we traveled with two of Jake's film students, and Brian, who is scoring the film. We were based in Jerusalem, where we spent many days wandering in the ancient streets, or racing in a panic for taxis. Jerusalem is a magical place, seeped in thousands of years of tradition, culture, and absolutely mesmerizing architecture. I've never seen a melting pot like this. There's the Mamilla, with it's lavish shoppes and twinkling lights, or the Arab market, a heyday of hookahs, antiques, spices, and merchants, or the hipster hangouts on Jaffa Street. Mosques and Synagogues mingle with Cathedrals and Universities to create the phenomenon that is this city.

None of this could top the laugh we had after getting thrown out of the Upper Room, though. Excessive happiness is not always an asset.

SPRUCE UP

I live with the itch to simplify. I'm constantly suppressing the strong desire to get rid of lots and lots of things, and to reorganize everything that's left. Here's the result of our most recent simplification fiasco. The couch, mirror, chalkboards and desk are all thrifted. I made the teepee last year with a student, in an attempt to see if it could be done for under $30. (It most certainly can.) 

WINTER IS EXPECTED SOON

There's a certain slant of light, on winter afternoons // That oppresses, like the weight of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us; We can find no scar, // But internal difference where the meanings are.

None may teach it anything, 'tis the seal, despair, // An imperial affliction sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens, shadows hold their breath; // When it goes, 't is like the distance

On the look of death. -Emily Dickenson

GOING

It's usually great, but then sometimes it's just....this. 

AWKWARD SILENCE

There's nothing quite so peculiar nor as thrilling than an awkward silence. It really isn't silence at all. Your brain fills up with a million thoughts all bumping into each other and then completely disappearing, while the person next to you is experience quite the same thing. It's one of those full empty moments, and I think it's weird...and nice. 

NEVER STOP ADVENTURING

I watercolored this little darling today so that I could hang it on my wall. It had all of the colors that I'm in the mood to look at today.

ICE CREAM DATES

The color "Mint" is shamelessly abundant these days, globetrotting with it's favorite date, Pastel Pink. As un-hipster as it may be to love such a thing, I can't see myself abandoning mint any time soon. Everything in these outfits was thrifted, landing these summer ensembles at about $15 each.

   

A CURE FOR FEELING SHORT

I've been feeling short lately. The stubby, bad kind of short. I can't explain this. I'm not short.  I wanted to feel tall, and too-small for my clothes. Hence, stupid-tall heels, a straight cut skirt and oversized shirt.  Low maintenance, and extremely affordable. 

SUMMER TO-DO LIST

Learn to do a handstand
Get acquainted with the top of my car
Learn to dive
Tackle the art of talking with strangers
Perfect the balance between soft and tough feet
Take a shower using an entire bottle of shampoo
Play sardines at least once
Write a song outside
Photograph my hometown
Purchase one good pair off heels
Go dancing
Throw away all of the stupid stuff
Break in my baseball glove
Tube the river....a lot
Catch a fish
Jump a waterfall
Sleep outside at least 5 times ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

BEGINNING

I used to think I was going to grow up to be something extraordinary. But I'm finding out that it's the growing up itself that is rather extraordinary. 

Today I am home. I'll be home for 2 days. Everyone is here. Jake, Nate, Amy, Cyle, Anne... We're talking about summer things now. BB guns and camping. My friends are my home. We sip Irish beer in the pub and talk about getting old. I'm caught up in the suspense of it all; the getting-old, that is. That feeling that it'll never happen, and the wide-eyed, split-second realizations that it will and is. Like holding your breath off the diving board. 

I didn't like the Murphy's Stout. It tasted like art supplies. But the pita bread was to die for, and so was the weather.