Barnaby

This is Barnaby.  He belongs to my friend Ben.  We went to a local trail and walked him one day and the trail was pretty muddy which was unexpected.  It wasn't earth shattering, but you can see some mud on Barnaby's lower half.  He is also sporting some wicked drool.  Both sides, not just one.  Awesome.

I took a bunch of photos on the walk but that was one of my favorites.  Probably because Barnaby actually sat and posed for it.  Many other shots I tried to take I was just a split second too slow.  I also was fond of this one (which was right before he ferociously shredded the dry grass you see in the background) ..

Furbabies are the best.

Wilco at Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD

I've seen Wilco a number of times but never in the front pit area.  It has always been lawn or another outer area so I was pretty psyched.  It was a bit of time since my last Wilco show and the anticipation was killing me.  I left my Nikon at home and brought my borrowed piece as planned.  After some lot time catching up with faces I hadn't seen for awhile and encountering new ones, I made my way through the gates.  Nick Lowe was the opener and I missed it but luckily he came out later in the show and did a song with Wilco so I at least got a few shots of him. 

Once I merged myself into the pit area I gazed longingly at the space between the stage and the fence wishing I had that magical press pass that would allow me to be in that very space.  One day..

They took the stage, opened with the track I suspected they would and then it was game on.  It was a great show as it always is, as I knew it would be.  I did not go hog wild with the camera like I have for other shows in the past.  I think I'm finally finding my way to blending photos and concert enjoyment all in one which is something I've struggled with.

Wilco goodness...

Jeff Tweedy

Wilco action

Nels and Mikael

Tweedy in red

Jeff and John

Nick Lowe

Armed and dangerous

Wilco with Nick Lowe

John Stirratt

Group shot

Set design

Perfection

It's almost Wilco time

I've been stalking Wilco set lists.  I also put my request in for tomorrow's show.  There is a link on their tour section of the website for you to request a song.  It only lets you do it once, but this nice message comes up after you have made your selection..

Wilco loves me!

This morning my friend Michelle and I went to Zeke's Coffee , a local coffee spot, to replenish our bean supply.  It was my first time actually in the store and it was a nifty little space.  There was a friendly and knowledgable dude who gave us a few samplings which was nice.  The coffee is more expensive than your average (about $14/pound) but well worth it.  I recommend.

Since I cannot take my Nikon into the Wilco show tomorrow, my boss was kind enough to lend me his camera which will fit in my pocket.  So the photos here were taken with that rather than my usual camera.  Not bad for a super tiny point and shoot.  I am pleased that it has manual settings.  

After Zeke's,  I spent some time at Michelle and CJ's place testing out my borrowed camera on their cat Hunter.  I am not a cat person, but Hunter is my exception to that rule.  I like the fact that he plays fetch.  He's also a good looking little guy.  Every time I was about to snap the shot, he would move.  So I figured out that if I shimmied the wrist strap on the camera around like a toy, he would be much more alert and looking in my direction.  Take note that his left paw is slightly elevated because he's about to swat at the strap:

 Finally, since I am in "anticipation of rocking my face off with Jeff Tweedy and Co. tomorrow" mode, I thought this shot was appropriate..

Stay tuned for Wilco photos!  I have never been close enough to even attempt photos at any prior Wilco shows.  I have a pit ticket for tomorrow.  Fingers crossed! 

a few of my favorite things

Wine, Waterford, Coconut candle.  Which makes for another one of my favorite things...a peaceful evening.

Waiter, there's a piano in my drink

I'll meet you anytime you want.  In our Italian restaurant.

Wilco loves you baby

With the Wilco show and album release coming up, I thought I'd use a Wilco related photo for today.  When my friends Mandee and Dale and I were on the road to Florida, I spotted a sign for the Wilco Travel Plaza and had to stop.  Since Wilco is one of my all time favorite bands, I knew I at least wanted to take a photo of this place. 

It was early morning, probably 5 or 5:30am and we stopped to use the restroom, get coffee, etc.  I go into the restroom and there are signs with the Wilco logo everywhere.  I leave, go into the store part and Wilco is still EVERYWHERE.  Immediately I think, ok...this is basically a rest stop for truckers but I'm obsessed with it all because the Wilco name is everywhere the eye can see.  Mandee and I get our coffee and stretch our legs.  I notice a styrofoam cooler with Wilco on it but our car is packed full and is the styrofoam cooler really going to make it through the weekend?  I take a few photos and we are back on the road.  The more I think about it over the weekend, I kick myself for not getting the cooler so we agree to stop there on the way back.  We did exactly that, but instead of the cooler I snagged myself a couple Wilco lighters and a travel type cup.  I figured those were better options than the styrofoam.  I even asked the cashier if they had keychain bottle openers or anything else with Wilco on it.  She said, "no but our job applications have Wilco on them.  Would you like one of those?" 
I actually considered it for a brief moment but declined.  So as I purchased the lighters and travel cup, a different cashier asks, "would you like a receipt or a bag?" to which I say, "YES and YES".

Yeah.  What can I say....I love Wilco and Jeff Tweedy's voice melts me.  The first time I ever saw them was with my friend Ben at the 9:30 club in DC.  I only knew some of their stuff from A Ghost Is Born going in, but I left wanting the entire catalog.  I was immediately hooked and never looked back.  If you aren't familiar with them, get familiar!

Plant. and I don't mean Robert.

I've been absent.  Oh the shame.  Been a little busy, but there's no room for excuses.  My goal was to do a daily photo so I will continue on with that goal.  I think the camera backpack needs to go with me everywhere.  Not sure why it doesn't already.  Probably because with the sweltering Summer heat in Maryland, inside a hot car is not where you want your camera equipment to reside.  It is cooling off now which is bittersweet for me since I do love the summer so much.  But we are swiftly on our way toward the Fall.  I'm not ready to put away my Summer clothes but I don't think Mother Nature cares about that.

Recently we had a serious amount of rain here.  Like, to the point where I wondered, is this Maryland or did I transport somewhere else via DeLorean and not realize it?  My outside potted plants were in love though.  You know, with the rain and all.  Not with me.  I tend to kill plants.  I was once given a cactus and it was dead less than two weeks after being in my care. 

Here's a shot I snapped after a storm one day last week.  I like raindrops.  and plants.  Although you wouldn't know it since I kill them all.  In the last couple months though, I seem to be doing ok.  Meaning, I have not killed any in that time.  Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.  Fingers crossed.

Careful man, there's a beverage here!

I spilled coffee and this image was the result of the spill.  It seemed peculiar looking so I took a photo. You have to look at it kind of sideways. I was going to rotate it but it just didn't look right that way.  It reminded me of the Batman symbol or is it Bacardi Rum?  I don't drink Bacardi, but I think they have a label with something like that on there?  I'd look it up but I'm too lazy. 

Did anyone get the Lebowski reference up there?  If not, you should stop what you're doing and watch it immediately.  Just don't make it a drinking game by drinking when someone says 'man', 'dude', or drops an F bomb.  You'll be toast before 10 minutes is up.

We become silhouettes when our bodies finally go

Self portrait. 

I like silhouettes.

Intensity? Hexum has it covered.

A few entries ago I said I was posting the last of my Pow Wow photos.  I lied. 
I probably didn't include this one because I felt that I was already showing a lot of Nick Hexum, but here I am with another one.  It has caught my eye a few times this week while looking over the whole album. 

The intensity just bleeds from him here.  I had to share it. 

Crabs and Beer - it's how we roll in Maryland

Yesterday I went to my parents house for a crab feast.  I picked up my grandmother (aka Memom) on the way.  I had originally planned to go to Ocean City this weekend but it didn't work out.  So I was excited to be able to have crabs with my family since it's likely I would've gone out for them down at the beach.

Upon picking Memom up, I was delighted to see that she was bringing along a coconut cake which is one of my favorites.  Anything coconut is the way to my heart...well, one of the ways.  I'm talking hair/body products, scented items/candles, beverage (rum? yes please - Whaler's is divine), and candy.  The limited edition coconut M&Ms were ridiculous.  I could continue, but you get the idea.  I heart coconut.  Let's move on.

Memom and I are headed up the road and 311 is on my iPod (surprised? didn't think so).  I figured what the hell, I'll leave it on.  Obviously the volume level was much lower than BEFORE I picked her up.  I didn't want her to go deaf.  But the thought occurred to me, I should get Memom a 311 tshirt for Christmas this year.  She would wear it.  How awesome would it be to be out someplace and see a grandmother wearing a 311 shirt? 

Anyway, we reach our destination and sit down to have crabs and beer.  The two go hand in hand.  Many people I've encountered who aren't Marylanders just do not get the picking of the crabs.  One person even called it "barbaric".  It's messy and can be time consuming, but it's delicious and worth it.  Even my mom had a few crabs, which is very out of character.  She goes for the steamed shrimp and even Alaskan crab legs.  But these crabs were so top grade and meaty that she had to join in.  Here are a few images I shot before sitting down and getting my own hands dirty in the crab action.

My sister Sara with large crab

Mom gave me permission to post this photo.  I laugh every time I see it.

Memom with crab and Natty Boh - a Baltimore tradition!

Talking about crabs and beer made me think of one of my favorite local pieces of artwork by Jon Brown.  Crabs, beer, the local Baltimore Sun paper announcing a Ravens win and Old Bay seasoning which is a staple for our Maryland seafood.  I use Old Bay on other things as well including.......eggs!

Here is the link to the Jon Brown piece:
http://www.oceangallery.com/art_sale/Charm_City_Cex.html

Also, the link to the history of Baltimore's National Bohemian beer if you feel so inclined to read up on it:
http://nationalbohemian.com/history/Default.aspx

Pets and a guitar

My friend Nikki recently moved into a new place so I went to visit her and check out the new spot.  It's a very quaint space with lots of great light!  Immediately I thought of the photo opps upon seeing the 3 big windows with the sun coming in.  I am certain this won't be the last time I take my camera there. 

Nikki's pets were pretty cooperative for me.  Although her dog Snuffles was more comfortable on his warm spot on the sofa rather than in that window.  This was evident when I asked her to sit Snuffles up on the ledge so I could snap a few shots.  He gave me that look like, "ok.  you officially suck."  But he got over it and before long he was snuggled up on me while I scratched his belly. 

Here are just a few images from my visit:

Snuffles

Mr. Kitty on the window ledge

Nikki's guitar - I've always loved photographing musical instruments