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Katie Reich

If you could do one thing today, I would ask that you send positive, healthy thoughts towards Katie Reich’s way. I know this little computer is a powerful tool in letting others know they are thought of and cared for…at the moment Katie and her family really need it.

Katie was just diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. I don’t think I can go into all the details without my eyes welling up so instead I encourage you to go to this site: http://www.caringbridge.org enter katiereich in the search box and read her story. Even if you don’t know her a message of support goes a LOOOOONG way. Trust me!

Wade and I talked today about Katie-isms and what she has brought to our lives. We both agreed that a bug is no longer “just a bug” after Katie showed us how one person can be so enthusiastic over the little critters. She is the perfect example in how the smallest details in life can turn out to be such big and amazing things.

Although she may be petite, she has a fire to her. She will fight, I have no doubt about that. We are rooting for you, Katie!

Cooper and I were asked twice now what we do for fun when we are not shooting weddings. Both times we just look at each other and were speechless. We have tried to come up with something good for a response, but after our trip to San Luis Obisbo we have come to a conclusion: when we are not shooting or working we either a.) spend 5 hours at the nearest outlet store or b.) go out to eat or c.) go to McDonald’s for an ice cream sundae. Yes, McDonalds and yes outlet malls. Pretty sad but also oh so good!

Last Friday we tried to get down to SLO in record time, but accidentally stopped at the Gilroy outlet stores and ended up spending $2987529375 on luggage and white pants. You heard me right white pants. We have three weddings this year that include a white party or require all white attire. Let me tell you, white clothes are hard to find that don’t make me look like this:

Ali in One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest…aka a wedding

Actually, a white party sounds pimpin’ (I just said pimpin’! Sounds weird coming from me), but it is just hard when your body is already super white. I guess I will just have to come to terms with being a white mental institution walking stick with a dark brown mop of hair.

Anyhow, while we were in SLO we got to see “The Flan’s Clan”…aka all the fans that have declared Greg as their leader. It was pretty incredible to see how he has established himself as a major player in SLO where both guys and girls throw themselves at him. If you were unable to see his magical photo powers last time when I gave a bum link on my blog, then maybe this time it’ll work. He is AWESOME. In just a year he has developed this huge understanding for the complicated world called photography…he and Cooper talked nearly all 36 hours about camera/tech stuff. Oh, and we finally got to eat a waffle at Linnea’s. YUM!  Thanks, Greg. Good times.

What would I do without my big bro? I mean, for real…how would I have ever heard of a talking buttocks cartoon with the same name as what I called myself as a kid if it wasn’t for him?
Warning: the cartoon is for mature adults only. If you have kids around cover their eyes and ears.

Pleated Dockers

To pleat or not to pleat…that is the question.

I have gone to several male clothing stores with the C-dawg recently in an effort to find a swanky suit for the man. In 3 out of 4 of the stores we went to over a 7 day span I heard young folks debating with the sales folk over pleated pants. In every situation the young customers wanted flat front pants but the sales men/women argued that either a) they only had pleated pants in the store (which we knew was not the case because we saw flat fronts) or b) pleats were “in.” These debates would actually get pretty heated and commonly would escalate to 2-5 sales folks ganging up on the one young customer who wouldn’t give in to the pleats.

I think what this situation really comes down to is quite simply a plethora of pleated pants in a world that craves flat fronts.

That is all I have to say on the issue.

Cooper and I are frequently asked what the funniest moments were in all the weddings we have shot. I would have to say that yesterday’s wedding ceremony takes the cake. The officiant (friends of the bride/groom) stopped the ceremony to ask “what is love?” to which he turned to the groomsmen and they all started singing “Afternoon Delight” by the Starland Vocal Band. The guys did an amazing job of harmonizing and the guests loved it. I hope this makes it to youtube.

Easter brunch 2008

Happy Easter! Coop-dawg made a feast this morning: a delectable glazed jamon and multigrain blackberry pancakes. I made a fruit bowl fit to feed a family of four. It was all so good we are both in a food coma (combined with post wedding exhaustion…a double whammy). Last year at this time my mom/pop/bro/sis-in-law were visiting and we ate a ham/crab cake brunch off of our coffeetable. That was an experience to say the least. Perhaps too small a space for 6 folks to eat comfortably. Maybe we need a new apartment.

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Last week C-feezie and I were in Vegas for WPPI…a wedding/portrait photographer’s convention and trade show. It was a whirlwhind of four days…lectures/tradeshow time from 8:00am-10:00pm then post convention parties at various bars and swanky places until the wee hours of the morning. We were exhausted by the end of day one and probably didn’t do the event justice, but at least we tried. Let me say this: there is a lot of crap out there.  This was Cooper’s first time to Vegas and we both agreed it wasn’t our cup-0-tea. We really didn’t get to go to any shows are eat at any of the new foodie restaurants, but we did hit up the buffet (with all you can eat crab legs…whoo hooo!). We also went to a party home off the strip complete with tarot card readers, tattoo artists, bowling alley, a private band and who knows what else. The rumor was that this place was Whoopi Goldberg’s old home or maybe where her housekeepers live, but I kind of doubt both. I think it was just a party home. Although we came out of the conference with some new ideas and are motivated to improve the business, we are glad to be home. Home sweet Oakland (a phrase I never thought I would say in my life!).

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Congrats WB on the news! Alice Cooper couldn’t be more excited for you!

Things I can say I accomplished this weekend:

• painted my nails a gothic color. Note to self: this does not work when your hands are long, bony and whiter than white.
• did my taxes. You would be surprised how little I made in 2007! I would most definitely be considered in the poverty level range, but somehow life couldn’t be better. As a matter of fact, 2007 was the best year in my life. Just goes to show…money isn’t everything.
• watched all 14 episodes of project runway on youtube. Yes, I had an obsession and was glued to a computer for days. aye carumba.

Only in Berkeley will you find a park with the following:

• a group of folks with  a tight rope between two trees, practicing their balancing/circus skills
• a different group of folks playing croquet
• and another group of six grown adults with hula hoops

Yes, only in Berkeley.

We are back from Jamaica! Whoa. A great land, interesting people, fun times, but we are happy to be home. The wedding last weekend was by far the most culturally diverse wedding we have shot yet…the groom and his family are all Jamaican and the bride and her family are Dutch (a portion of whom are living in the states).  Never before would I have ever imagined listening to Dutch coming in one ear and Patois in the other. Nor would I have ever dreamed of eating a traditional jerk/Jamaican meal followed by Dutch apple pie. It was awesome! Not only that but people were so gracious and open…by the end of the night at the reception we felt like we were completely part of the family/party and people wanted take photos of and with us (a rare occasion unless people are drunk and don’t know who they are taking photos with).

My three main men from the trip:

Akeem

Ray Charles


Coop-dawg. (Not sure what is going here except that I am showing a lot of gum and Cooper’s adam’s apple could have poked my eye out)

Thirsty? I sure hope so.

Beverage news #1: The Bruery received health department approval so Pat and Rachel Rue can now brew beer! The following photo is a toast to their beer and all their hard work. Prost folks! I am so proud!

(side note: the beer in the photo is not a Pat Rue beer. Technically, the brown liquid in the glass is not worthy of a Bruery vessel, but we had to drink in honor of the big news).

Beverage news #2: My new addiction post Morocco trip 1 year ago…MINT TEA! There are a lot of good mint teas out there, but none of them do justice if you want the true Moroccan mint tea taste. The solution? Seep straight mint leaves in hot water, add a little sugar, and bask in the moment. I have been basking in the moment a lot lately. Aka, drinking mass amounts of mint tea.

Beverage news #3: As of tomorrow, actually 12:00am on Sunday, Cooper and I will be on our way to Jamaica for a wedding. Yeah, mon. What does that have to do with beverages, Assin? Well, indirectly it means rum, Red Stripe, and tropical drinks. We have not made any super tropical drinks lately, but we did make lemonade with mint in it so this will suffice for now.

krumkake iron

Funny how when you are on a diet you tend to eat more than you normally might…and when you are on a no spending diet you spend $$ on any frivolous item you can find and try to justify it. My frivolous purchase of the weekend: a krumkake maker. What is krumkake you may ask? It is a beautiful Norwegian cookie that can be made flat or rolled and filled with whatever suites you (cream, fruit, ice cream, etc). My dad wanted to get my mom a krumkake maker like 15 years ago and ever since then I have always thought of the amazing little iron. Well, Cooper and I found this frivolous little thing at a thrift store for $10 and I was completely torn. Do I spend my hard earned $10 bucks on a waffle iron that I will probably use maybe once a year (if that) or do I save it for all the $2385928375928375928375928759283752398472 worth of traveling we have coming up? Well, after much deliberation I proudly walked out of the store without a purchase but then had to stop and call the parentals for a third/fourth opinion. Needless to say, they convinced me to buy it and now I am a krumkake owner. Goodness. I guess I won’t be eating while in Mexico, Italy, St. Thomas, New York, France, Chicago or Tahoe.