Blog

Wedding season for the fall has begun…now it is full steam ahead!  This past weekend we shot a wedding in the south bay which had a stretch hummer limo, orange and red color theme, baby break dancing, Disney characters all around, and a good old fashioned photo booth.  At some point I’ll have to post the photos cooper and I took in the photo booth, but for now the above photos will have to do.

On Friday we are off to Washington/Oregon to see Cooper’s family and then shoot/attend the wedding of our friends Charlie and Katie next Friday.  I simply can’t gosh darn diddily wait. 

This is a few months old, but my sister just found this article online and reminded me that some of Cooper’s work in Puerto Vallarta was featured in Mexico in May!  The slideshow and photos are all his, but the video is from a local woman in PV.  If you look at the video you can see me in the lower right hand corner taking photos as Serena and Fabio walk down the aisle. This was the beach in Puerto Vallarta where we had to take a speed boat to access the site (and saw dolphins on the “commute” to work).  We will be going back down there in November to shoot a same sex wedding.

***
The earthquake that rattled our area last night certainly got my sleeping heart a pumping, but nothing happened. If anything, we noticed a photo was askew in the morning.  It is funny how your body responds to something like your apartment shaking.  Cooper and I both jumped up and looked at each other in an odd way, then my first reaction was, “I can’t be wearing pajama pants during an earthquake! I need jeans on!”  Oh, Allison.

What do Cooper and Ali do when we have a few moments of spare time?  We look at pictures in magazines to try and figure out how the lighting is setup.  Yup, add one to the dorksimus maximus chart.  It is actually kind of fun and something I never even thought of before.  We look for whatever reflective pieces might be in the photo to see what sort of light boxes they use, where they are placed, where the photographer might be standing in relation to the light, etc.  If you look at a copy of the August 2007 Vanity Fair, you can see in the reflective space helmet the location of the photographer, his sidekicks, how the lighting is setup, what their vans look like, etc.  The main article of this cover story has an even better picture…five or six guys and they all have reflective helmets. 

Copyright Vanity Fair, August 2007

The magazine photos that really make me think are the close up portraits of an actor/actress where the only reflective surfaces are the eyes.  I never before had looked into the eyes of a celebrity as closely as I do now.  I always thought Cooper was just really into a certain celebrity and liked looking at her for hours, but really he was studying the photograph and how it was shot.  Then he showed me the secret.  In the eyes you can make out the shapes of the light boxes and where they are located.  Whenever I looked at the cover photos in the past I would read the tag lines, look at the celebrity, then dive into the magazine.  Now, (with Cooper’s guidance) I have a deeper appreciation for what is actually going on and try to imagine what might be on the other side of the cover girl/guy.  Ok, I suppose I have hit my geek level for the morning.  

This is a little late coming, but I finally got around to downloading my photos.  Last weekend I went home to celebrate my sista and bro’s birthdays…a double whammy.  Unfortunately, as the photos below describe, a lot of attention was dedicated towards some food and one special lady…

The trip to Solvang a few weekends prior induced a need for Abelskivers in the morning.

A not so sure about them, abelskiver eater

Glamour shots photo of Assi (age 12).  Don’t ask, but I know you are thinking “ohh la la” (or something)

Three household pets waiting to be let in

One of my best friends

Amelia and her dad enjoying a little air

Maybe she is learning from her aunt/grandmother…hide your face when a camera is nearby.

***
This weekend was perhaps one of the last weekends Cooper and I will have before we dive deep into wedding after wedding after wedding.  Although it really has not been that long, I feel like it has been ages since we have shot a wedding.  Funny how just a couple of weeks feels like months.  I certainly can’t complain though…I would much rather be busy than not!

***
I had a moment this morning.  I was in the shower thinking about how good baked beans sounded for breakfast (you know, in the hearty English breakfast sort of way), but I knew we didn’t have a can of the good stuff.  After many minutes searching for something to eat I attempted looking into our “reserves” (a cabinet full of canned good for those just in case emergency moments) and I found myself some baked beans.  I can’t tell you how excited I was to have beans for breakfast.  I guess I get excited a little too easily over very random things.   

Assi in Hawaii, age 4 or 5

Oh, to be a child.  No real stress, no need to “figure out your life,” no financial obligations.  All you do is eat, sleep, poop.  The only things that consume your day are the little details like who is watching you go down the slide, what music is playing and do you know the words to “ring around the rosie,” how many times can you turn a towel around without getting bored, etc.  People constantly surround you in an effort to protect you and your every move, or they do crazy movements and make ridiculous sounds in an attempt to entertain you (when really you entertain them).   As you can see from the photo above of me as a child, I loved to entertain, but the little details caused me to be a very sensitive and serious gal.

This weekend I have spent nearly all my time following my niece around and playing.  Whenever I come home now my family always asks, “What do you want to do while you are home?”  My answer: “Just stay home and play.” Without question, she is another soul mate in my life.  The day I arrived she fought taking a nap because she knew I was soon to drive up, then she greeted me with giggle after giggle after giggle (amazing for someone who is only 19 months old and have not seen in 16 weeks).  She can say my name and does a great job of calling me to play all the live long day.   I have taken pictures of my time home, but of course all 29387592375 of them are of her.  Yes, I am in love.

Tomorrow, back to reality and away from the dream world of childhood.  Oh, to be a child again.

Cooper and I just received this e-mail from the new owner of my child: 

*** 

Hello,

I just got home with my new car and wanted to let you know that I haven’t stopped crying since I left Oakland.  This is the nicest, safest and most wonderful car I think I have ever had and exactly what I have been looking for.  Thank you so much again.  You both seem like a very nice, honest couple which makes me feel like I am truly blessed with a wonderful car that will not break down any time soon.  It was so nice to drive especially compared to mine.  I hope you will enjoy your new car as much as I am enjoying mine.

Thank you so much!

***

I am so happy to know that my car is now loved by someone else.

Holy smokes.  I am almost over this car thing.  I am really not a materialistic person, but having a new-ish car is such a joy.  Especially one that is a bit swankier than my Suzuki.  However, getting rid of the old to make way for the new can be a tad sad.  No more than two minutes ago while I was in the middle of this blog posting, my trusty sidekick was sold.  The Suzuki has been part of my life and personality for a good solid 11 years…but it is time to grow up (although last night we named the Audi Pierce Carsnan…as a reflection of the James Bond-esqueness of the new coche).  I’ll grow up tomorrow. 

Go little Suzuki, spread your wings and fly away.  (that was cheezy but I really do feel like I just sold my child). 

The Before

The After

***

Tomorrow I head home to Colorado for more family time and to celebrate my little big sister and big little brother’s birthdays.  As always, I am dying to see my little niece.  Last night I got a little kid warm up at our 4th of July celebration at a Chinese Restaurant…I flirted with a 12 month old and he made his way over to my table so we could hold hands (innocently, of course!).  His dad said he must really like me because he never does that to strangers.   Watch out, Amelia…I am ready to play!

 

Cooper and I accidentally bought a new used car today…whoops.  It is a 1999 Audi A6 quattro.  Actually, it was not accidental, we had decided on our trip to Solvang that it was time to get something that 1.) had more power, 2.) was a bit more impressive when arriving at a wedding or when driving a bride/groom around 3.) had AC that didn’t squeal for 30 seconds when you turn it on and 4.) wasn’t a box on wheels.  It only took a week to find something better than the Sidekick.  The new/used car has a bit of a dent in the front by the headlight which helped in keeping the price tag down, but other than that it is beautiful, luxerious, and has POWER!!  I actually screamed when I first put my foot on the petal because the car took off faster than I anticipated.  Now just say a prayer that it doesn’t fall apart or cause us any issues.

I suppose there comes a time when you need to move on from the car you grew up with in high school.  The Sidekick/”Cow-mobile” hold a lot of memories for a lot of people. If anyone would like a forever loved Suzuki Sidekick…it is yours!

The new child: (I particularly like the badonkadonk of the car)

(I particularly like the badonkadonk of the car)

***

Life is passing by so quickly.  I have been having a hard time keeping straight where I need to be and what I have been doing.  Case in point #1: the other day a friend called and asked how my trip was.  I had to think long and hard about where I had been if I had been anywhere and what I had been doing.  I drew a complete blank.  Case in point #2:  it was 3:00pm on a Thursday afternoon and it was time to leave for our SoCal trip.  I didn’t print any directions and there was only a slight possibility that I had a map in my car.  I was banking off the thought of using street signs to get us where we needed to be (although I didn’t really know where we were going).  Luckily, Cooper had it all planned.  I don’t think we would have made it if he hadn’t planned ahead.  Case in point #3: I went to the Feist concert earlier this week and about an hour before the concert was to start (I assumed) I still hadn’t taken the time to figure out where the concert was or what time it actually started.  Again, luckily Maggie had it all planned out.  Case in point #4:  I had arranged to get beers with a friend the other night and I couldn’t recall what time we were to meet or where we were to go.  Thank goodness he called to remind me.  Gosh. 

***
I saw a man surfing the bart ride the other day.  He didn’t hold on to anything as the car jerked or ascended/descended…instead, he balanced/bopped on his knees to keep from falling…all while wearing a suit/tie and reading the paper.  Pretty impressive.

 ***

Speaking of bart (an event that is now a big part of my life and allows for me to do a great amount of people watching)…the train conductor who I normally get to hear on my way to SF sounds exactly like Morgan Freeman.  I am sure it is not Morgan Freeman, but there is something about riding to work thinking that the the best narrator ever is driving my bart train makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. 

I have butter coating my throat.  How many danishes can one person eat in a weekend, you may ask?  I don’t even want to admit to the number we ate while in the danish capital of SoCal…Solvang.   Instead, let me pretend like I didn’t spend the weekend giving my jaw muscles a workout and show you activities that do not require mass amounts of eating. (I have only made dinner for myself once in the past week and a half.  disgusting): 

 I am trying to get Cooper to use this photo on his intro page of his website.  I wish you could have seen the rest of the wedding party! 

Miniature horse farm.  I guess these are similar to a dog, but in horse form.  

A stop at a lavender farm.  I LOVE lavender…too bad a bottle of lotion costs as much as a bottle of really nice wine!!

Speaking of wine, we did a lot of wine tasting.  At the first wine stop we pretended to know what we were doing, but I think the wine guy caught on that we are wine stupid.  He could have put anything under our noses and we would have loved it.

A glamour shot at the mission

Another glamour shot at the mission (please reference the previous post to view more of my mom and myself covering our faces…she has taught me how to hate being on the other end of the camera lense). 

More wine tasting.  This time at an organic vineyard.  My dad certainly got his $10 bucks worth!! If only the owners knew how much he had…hahahahaha

Cooper excitedly tasting some wine.

You wouldn’t know it, but my mom is also excitedly tasting some wine

After a few nights in the Danish world, we decided to bring it to the next level and stop in Santa Barbara to enjoy the world with the rich and beautiful people.

With a belly full of comida, it was time to head back and start fasting.  If only my little car didn’t feel like a cardboard box while in 70 mph winds.

This weekend was devoted to 1.) parental time and 2.) eating.  On Friday night we ventured to Alameda for an amazing German meal at Speiskammer.  My dad managed to drive from SoCal to the east bay in a short amount of time, then arrived at the restaurant wearing his scrubs.  I love my dad.  I was actually proud that he arrived at the restuarant in his scrubs.  That is just who he is.  

Saturday we went to the farmer’s market in San Francisco.  I had never been to this gastronomic land, but boy oh boy is it just as good as everyone says it is.   I am feeling word stupid at the moment so I think I’ll just post pictures to recap:

A happy papa with a flat of apricots.

Fin-dog and myself at Taylor’s for burgers.

Cooper not drinking coffee at the coffeeshop

Father’s day celebration, a hint to my dad to consider not working

Sunday I took the parentals to the Berkeley Thai Temple. 

My mom and I don’t really like having our photos taken.

Finney eating mango with sticky rice

Cooper enjoying his b-day present from my mom. 

I happy, smily ending to a great weekend

***

I am proud to report that the company I now get to work for was featured in the 7×7 magazine!!  This link shows a mighty fine photo of all my co-workers.

***

Mr. Greg Flanagan (pictured in a previous post devoring his sister’s wedding cake) made a surprise appearance for C-dog’s b-day.   What a friend to drive all the way from SLO to be a special delivery for Cooper. 

***

Tomorrow we are off again to spend more time with the parents.  We will be driving to Solvang, CA to enjoy the clog wearing danish town.  I hear a trans fat filled danish calling my name!  I can’t wait!!!