Big and Bright, Day 269

Now that I am the owner of a paper store I feel like I can begin to make all my paper fantasies a reality. I am fortunate to have my intern, Maria Fuoco-Lawson, work on displays in the store because otherwise much of what I want to do would never get done. So, I gave her the task of using romance novel pages and book covers hung from strings to form a giant heart for the front window...and she did just that, creating a piece that shimmers and glows as the morning sun shines through. I am in love.

Dining ritual, Day 268

Performing, Day 267

I have been in bed for the last two days with a spasm in my back. This has limited my picture making for the day. Nicolai and I played on the bed with my camera in hand using the camera as a source for some fun. We laughed and laughed and made the best of the situation.

Camera wars, Day 266

Nicolai with his truly crappy camera Gerald and I bought him last Christmas. I think he has taken all of five photos up until yesterday where we played a game of photographing each other. He doesn't know it, but I won.

Sweet, Day 265!!!!!!!

A little bribery never hurts, especially when a little someone was disappointed that we couldn't go to his favorite Ethiopian restaurant for dinner because it was too crowded. But we made it through the evening meal at an alternative restaurant with hardly any complaints. Chocolate does make the world a better place.

Homeward bound, Day 264

Another night riding in the car and photographing (Gerald is driving). Sometimes riding in the car or taking the bus is the only time to sit and be still. A forced meditation on the road ahead. A place to think about the day ahead or what has occurred...or not.

Looking west, Day 263

The sun is setting later these days and I find this extremely comforting. Let there be light! In no time there will be leaves on the trees, warm evenings sitting on the porch, and ice cubes in my water to stay cool.

One moment, Day 262

Gerald worked a long day in Denver cleaning up one of our rentals today, so by the time he came home Nicolai and I had eaten dinner, bath time was over, and it was time to get ready for bed. I am looking forward to the time when our crazy work schedule is over and all of the loose ends have been severed; where moments can be strung together and last versus snippets here and there.

Tha lady, Day 261

Tea time, Day 260

Nicolai and I had a lovely tea party today on the kitchen floor. As we sipped and munched we talked about drinking tea together in a far off land with scones and clotted cream after a long day of visiting castles where knights once lived.

Dreaded mess, Day 259

I was dreading the mess that was waiting for me when I came home tonight...it will still be there waiting for me in the morning as well. How I long for a dishwasher!

Wednesday ritual, Day 258

Our new Wednesday night ritual is to go out to dinner. This is the second week of our weekly family feeding. We chose a Nepalese restaurant we having been driving by for years, but have never tried. It's difficult to not talk about our new business 27/7 but we made an effort to reign it in tonight and just enjoy our meal.

Life, Day 257

My eyes could barely stay open last night. This is the last picture I took of the day, the last thing I saw as I turned out the light. It made me think about how messy my life appears, but at the same time it really is the most organized it has ever been.

The big picture, Day 256

I have been struggling to pick-up my camera each day and stop long enough to take photos. Some how I have managed to do it, but there have been a few days where I just didn't know how in the world I would find something half way decent to photograph...but then I did! A couple nights back I decided to look over the entire project in reverse and I have to say that I am excited that I have stuck with the project. I can remember something from each day that I would have forgotten otherwise. Like the day I ran around kissing all the windows in my studio to make it look like my lipstick smudge was floating in the air trying to capture it on my CCD, or the night I drove home in a snowstorm and I could barely see 5 feet in front of the car, or Nicolai picking peaches off my neighbor's tree. All those moments that would probably be lost but now I have some how visually captured and mean so much more than just the photo. So I trudge forward with this in mind.

Playdate, Day 255

Nicolai and I spent the day playing, reading, doing errands, and just hanging out together. It was wonderful day to just focus on the present moment.

Favorite restaurant, Day 254

Another night at Pho Duy.

Charlie, Day 253

My friend Erena had a baby on Monday and I had the pleasure of meeting her little guy for the first time today. I remember those early days of being a new parent- the exhaustion and the bliss all rolled into one little package. What an amazing time that was.

Been there, done that, Day 252

The first day of one of the last classes I will teach at CU. It felt bittersweet. I never wanted to turn into one of those burned out teachers and I was definitely starting to feel a little burned out. I have 16 weeks to get used to the idea of saying goodbye.

A good omen, Day 251

So today is the day that Gerald and I officially became business owners. We are in shock and awe as to what has transpired over the last two months. We went out to dinner tonight to celebrate and this was my fortune. A wonderful symbol to begin this new adventure together.

Making, Day 250

I went and saw an experimental film tonight, titled Buried, by my friend Casey Koehler. I am always so inspired when artists make work about personal stuff that is difficult to talk about. Casey's piece was about her father who passed away two years ago today and dealing with the grief surrounding his passing and their estranged relationship. Seeing her film reminded me why making art is so important to artists and audiences- to experience life in a different way. Thanks Casey!

Wedding gift, Day 249

One of my most prized possessions is a painting my friend Wes Magyar did of me and Gerald (and our rabbit) after we were married. If the house was burning down this is one of the things I would try and rescue. This is just a detail of the painting but my favorite part. Our hands look so strong and capable of doing just about anything.

Life line, Day 248

OMG, Day 247

Is this real?

Ahhh Lawyers, Day 246

I think that lawyers have been placed on this earth to complicate things and get paid a lot of money in the mean time. What a day of phone calls, blue ink, and the process is still not complete! We are hoping that on Monday we can put all this lawyer stuff behind us and begin work on paying the bill.

The day after, Day 245

Winter wonderland, Day 244

A few of my favorite things, Day 243

It would be a shame if the Kindle actually took over book production. The physicality of a book is beautiful. It also makes riding the bus much more interesting- viewing other people's titles. The Kindle makes books generic, standardized, (post)postmodern..not to mention boring. Just another screen to stare at. Please don't buy one.

Bedtime ritual, Day 242

Dewey the dewster, Day 241

Beloved toy.

Moni, Day 240

Thank God for moms!

Dreamer (Diana), Day 239

A new year. I didn't dream about what I would be doing in this new year, but some how we made it happen. I have been putting it out to the universe for a long time that I need a change in my life. I just didn't know what it was going to be. A tenure track job? Unemployment? Making books for people? But a few weeks ago an opportunity presented itself and Gerald and I decided to run with it. In a few days we will be the new owners of a small local business called Two Hands Paperie. I worked there for a few years apprenticing with the owner, Diana Phillips, as a bookbinder. It's been amazing how all the pieces are so easily falling into place and the synchronicity of it all. The image of the camera above is just another piece in the puzzle. It's called a Diana camera and it seemed very fitting for today's image given that it is one of my favorite toy cameras (this one is around a woman's neck that I met today), it is named Diana, and it says "dreamer" on the lens. Even though I didn't dream the specifics of this coming year I do believe that everything begins with my mind (conscious and unconscious) to set the wheels in motion.