My little bamboo

I miss this little fella. This was my bamboo for a good couple years. Unfortunately he is no more (back to the brown thumb thing, but I keep trying). He had the best little leaves that fell so beautifully. I used to keep him over by my bed side lamp which you see in the photograph. The lamp and bamboo were buddies for sure. They very much complimented each other. I still have the lamp; it is a rectangular shape made of fabric with a subtle asian flare. Finally one day I decided to take their photograph and get a bit of a silhouette on the bamboo in front of the lamp. It's a good thing I did too, because now I have something to remember my bamboo by.

Rug racks

On Saturday Preston and I went to The Dump to look for rugs. Preston has been in search for a 7' x 10' rug to go in his new apartment. The Dump is a good place to go because they have tons of choices on rugs (and furniture for that matter, that's where I got all mine). So, we sifted through the racks and racks of rugs for a while and finally found this one that he's standing in front of. I like how unique it is, and it will certainly go with the comtemporary style Preston has been striving for in his furnishings.

I had brought my camera with me, and when he was standing in front of this one I couldn't help but want to take his picture, especially since he practically matched it in his brown shirt.

I look forward to seeing how his rug matches his place when he finally decides to let us all see it!

Climb on

This is a photo from a rock wall at an indoor climbing gym in Seattle. Vertical World. I became a member at Vertical World when I was in Seattle. We climbed a few times there and it was great. Very cool gym. I brought my camera once to grab some pics of us while we climbed. And, on this one I played with my zoom a little bit. My lens is an 18 - 135mm zoom, so it will really crank in or out on things. I decided to slow the shutter down on this one and zoom out from the hold for this particular effect. It made for a fun photo I think.

So clearly, I love to rock climb. Unfortunately I haven't made it to the wall in quite some time though. I need to find some pals in Dallas to climb with. So, if you are game let me know.

The crooked tree

I found my coffee shop in Dallas. A friend at work told me about the Crooked Tree and I finally tried it out a couple nights ago. It was completely enjoyable. Just a little house off Routh and McKinney, you could easy zoom right past it if you weren't paying attention. The inside is full of old furniture and wooden floors that creek when you walk on them. They have a little stage for live music too.

The Crooked Tree has been open a month now and it seemed to be fairly full on a Sunday night. So I'm crossing my fingers they make it, because it was a fun little coffeehouse. And, of course, wifi is included!

Live from the backyard

I love this photograph. I took this one over the weekend down in San Antonio. Andrea's family put on a huge backyard bash, known to many of us as "Stinzfest", for July 4th. They had three different bands play throughout the night, most of which were comprised of a Stintzi or two and friends. The Stintzi's have quite the set up for this event, they've actually stone paved a stage in their backyard and it's perfect.

Andrea stepped in for the night as rhythm guitar for the her dad's band, Bad Neighbor, since one of the band members was unable to play. So before it was Bad Neighbor's turn at the stage, Andrea was in the garage studio area looking over the set. In the garage their is this wall covered in album covers. So I asked Andrea to come play a little while in front of the albums. I snapped away, while she played, and I finally got this one.

Once the sun went down it was Bad Neighbor's turn. I wasn't out there right when they started. But, all of a sudden I heard Andrea playing and singing "What's up" by 4 Non Blondes. So I ran out there and man, she really nailed that song. I just sat there on the grass and soaked it up.

Well done friend, you really do rock. (And, I think we've got your first album cover photo taken care of.)

Colorful kitchen

This photo is of an artist's kitchen in Austin. We visited this home (which was also the artist's studio) when we went on the East Austin Art Tour. I enjoy this photograph for a couple reasons. One, the color is wonderful. The division of white, green and yellow is fun. Two, the kitchen is very cool. The stove top is simple and unique. The knives on the wall are interesting. And, the artwork on the wall is well placed.

We went on the East Austin Art Tour on a Sunday. The cool thing about the tour was you were encouraged to ride your bike from studio to studio. Most studios were simply old homes on the east side. Seeing the old homes, some of which were renovated, was just as great as seeing the art in them. We probably went to 10 or 15 different studios. It was such an adventure. After one studio we'd jump on our bikes and wind our way around the streets to another studio, jump off and check it out.

I think after the tour we actually rode our bikes to our favorite east side mexican food restaurant. I guess good art and architecture inspires good food and drink!

Sailing the Sound

Last summer our friend, Jake, took us out on the Puget Sound for a day of sailing. This was Jake's first time out on his own. He did fantastic. We would sail for a bit then we'd coast for a while. We weren't really going anywhere, but it was fun to be out on the water. Naturally I took my camera with me. At one point I looked at Jeff who was just relaxing at the front of the boat and I noticed how clear his glasses were reflecting. I could see Kate, Jake and I's reflection perfectly. So, I tried for the shot. I think it turned out really cute. I love how you can see the horizon of only sea in the background and the sails.

And, Jeff you made the perfect face for this photo! Well done, buddy.