Ma Vie en Photos

Mexico City, 2007

2010-12-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

Hartebeespoort, South Africa, 2008, 2009

2010-04-09T08:30:00.001-04:00

Fidget: the perfect little cat.

Asheville, 2009

2010-03-22T21:20:00.001-04:00

Seattle, 2007

2010-03-02T20:05:00.001-05:00

La Fonda, B.C., Mexico, 2010

2010-01-31T17:34:00.000-05:00

San Francisco, 2010

2010-01-11T18:22:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles, 2010

2010-01-07T13:51:00.001-05:00

Lilongwe, Malawi, 2009

2009-12-21T19:50:00.001-05:00

Clarksdale, MS, 2006

2009-11-15T18:53:00.000-05:00

Mexico City, 2007

2009-10-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

New York, 1994

2009-09-27T10:46:00.001-04:00

With Robin's passing this week I was reminded of so many little things that I'd forgotten long ago, like her laugh, infectious liveliness and love of Tweety Bird. But mostly I realized how much credit I owe her for teaching me about the city. When I recall my fish-out-of-water naivety during my first week in NYC, age 18, I remember that Robin was there, already flourishing and doing things her way. Immediately after meeting her, she swept me off to Patricia Field's outlandish shop on 8th Street to check out the once-a-year sale. From that point on, it was clear that Robin knew what was up. From clubs and guest lists, to the salons for her impeccable nails and eyebrows, to unmarked taxis in Harlem, to Polish pierogies and Italian desserts at the Feast of San Gennaro, Robin embraced the city life she dreamed of growing up an arm's reach away in New Jersey. She'd go through more hairstyles in a year than most people do in their lifetime, and was the first person I knew to get her tongue pierced; I remember how photos of that--now such a common sight--would blow people's minds back home back then. The girl loved music and dancing--"Maaary!," she'd squeal, when a Mary J. Blige song played--and was the first adventurous pioneer among us to make the move over to Brooklyn, which once seemed like such a distant, foreign land. The trio of Robin, Sonia and I were together for so many firsts in my life: our first apartment at 234 East 5th Street, my first trip to New Orleans, and a thousand important personal developments that I'd never divulge in a public forum. She was a huge gale force of person: driven and ambitious, fun and spontaneous. When the news came this week, I wanted to be there for the funeral and was heartsick that I might not make it. Then when I heard that she'd requested no funeral, and that her ashes be scattered over Ibiza, the nonstop party island that was her version of paradise, I laughed while tears jumped from my eyes: it was classic Robin to want to be in the center of the action and I was comforted by her determination to have things her own way. There was no classier Jersey girl than Robin, and the world is a lesser place without her. In loving memory of Robin Pelka, 1974-2009.

New Hope Creek, NC, 2009

2009-08-31T20:32:00.000-04:00

Alexis at the swimming hole.

Myrtle Beach, SC, 2009

2009-08-25T17:37:00.000-04:00

Johannesburg, 2009

2009-08-18T22:21:00.000-04:00

I was told to stop taking so many damn pictures. How do I do that? I can just as easily stop blinking. It's what I do and how I live. To not understand that is to not understand me at all.

Clayton, NC, 2008

2008-12-30T00:04:00.000-05:00

Warm, sunny mid-winter days fill me with optimism and an ache for adventure. Such was the case today, when, on a cloudless, sun-filled late December day, Alexis and I headed east in search of...the outlet mall. OK, so it wasn't the most heroic of destinations, but I was determined to take the back roads in hopes of encountering rolling green hills and poetic barns. While we also saw a crap heap of strip malls and pawn shops, rural Eastern NC's soft side finally appeared and we drove along, soaking up the pastoral, golden light.

And once we were rural, my mind turned to another amusement...a true testament to the rapid demographic shift in the area. I knew that this farming region, rich with migrant workers, must have good TACOS! Skipping over the WASP-y, Southern downtown, we headed to the industrial, farming outskirts and found a tienda where, upon buying a snack of plantain chips, I asked the two men working where we could find good tacos. They send us a few miles further to Clayton. With vague directions, we nearly gave up, swearing that each traffic light we went through would be the last. But finally our persistence paid off with Rancho Grande. The menu made me feel like I was in Mexico--down to the errant, inescapable meat that ended up on my taco, despite my best attempts at describing the making of a vegetarian taco--and a 12 item taco condiment bar.

Here is Alexis, bathed in the heavenly taqueria light, being a fancy lady and eating her tacos with a fork:
And my plate of tacos con frijoles so sublime, so painterly in presentation, that Georgia O'Keefe or Frida Kahlo would have pushed and shoved their way to Clayton to see for themselves:

(Airborne), 2008

2008-12-17T22:02:00.000-05:00

Flying over Minnesota in December seems akin to crossing Antarctica, with a smattering more houses. When I landed (just for a transfer, thankfully), the temperature at noon was 4 degrees F (-15.5 C).

Seminole, OK, 1979

2008-11-27T17:25:00.001-05:00

I was an odd, funny child, which may have something to do with me being an odd, funny adult. One morning, I got up, put on my dad's clothes and went outside and took photos with my Fisher Price camera. My family didn't quite know what to make of me. That hasn't really changed either.

Los Angeles, 2006

2008-11-11T20:09:00.001-05:00

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2008

2008-10-21T20:47:00.000-04:00

Lenoir, NC, 2008

2008-10-08T22:01:00.001-04:00

Chapel Hill, 2008

2008-09-21T21:32:00.000-04:00

Yes, another spider post, but I'm completely fascinated by this tenacious spider that keeps spinning gigantic, elaborate webs (note the extra thick "zipper" part too) in my doorway. This time I was only home for an hour before opening the door and finding that the (not so) little guy had webbed me in again. Like a ghost inhabiting an old mansion, I feel like I may have moved into his house and he's just letting me know. I knocked his ornate web down again in order to leave, but now see that he's set up shop underneath my deck, so we're living harmoniously.

Chapel Hill, 2008

2008-09-06T12:37:00.001-04:00

I woke up to find that an industrious (and huge) spider had spun a fully-formed web in my doorway in a matter of about 8 hours. And during a tropical storm, no less. The impressive little guy was just seeking some shelter from the rain, and I felt bad pulling it down, but I had to leave my house.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2008 (June)

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Johannesburg, South Africa, 2008 (May)

2008-06-06T11:25:00.001-04:00

Durban, South Africa, 2008 (April)

2008-04-27T04:27:00.001-04:00

I was in Durban again last weekend and decided to try to document why it has so captured my affection.

Here, as a mini photo essay, is Why I Love Durban, by Kate.

The view from the airplane of the Durban beach front, 2 minutes before landing: The view of the city, with the ocean in the background, from an apartment:
The view from the ground: year-round flowering plants, including this hibiscus:
Breakfast (and lunch and dinner, with South African wine) on the veranda with Keith and Catherine:
Sam, a sweethearted golden retriever (is there any other kind?), with whom I bonded with during his first months. He now freaks out with happiness when I visit:
My girls, Alex (age 9) and Rebecca (age 12), who are so endlessly clever, loving and amusing. Here we are playing spa:
And the girls hamming it up in a convenience store security mirror:
These are just a start. See also (not pictured): peace of mind, relaxation, sense of security, ocean breeze, warm nights, delicious Indian food.

I can't wait to go back!

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2008 (April)

2008-04-25T10:47:00.000-04:00

Look, it's the future bloated bureaucracy at work!Why use just one school safety guard--or "scholar patrol"--when you can use NINE (one not shown)?

Mafikeng, South Africa, 2008 (March)

2008-03-16T11:34:00.001-04:00

I’m back in Jo’burg after a week in Mafikeng. Strangely (and terribly!) the weather here has taken a complete nosedive, with steady rain all weekend and temps struggling to make it out of the 50s. I know that colder times are ahead, but not yet! It’s still technically summer!

My week in Mafikeng was spent with a group of my colleagues auditing the patient files at an antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic that’s part of the national treatment program. There were about 30 or so of us there, plowing through over 8.000 files in four days, collecting data and reviewing the quality of care and reporting. This is what 8.000 files look like:

I like reviewing patient files because it’s rare exposure to the individual story of each patient, as opposed to the typical distance inherent in my more macro-view desk job. It can be quite emotional too, though. Patients who are on ART are sick with AIDS. They have to have reached a certain threshold of illness—in South Africa, that’s a CD4 count below 200—in order to qualify for the drug treatment. In normal healthy people, the CD4 count is 500-1500, but the number decreases the sicker you are with AIDS. For the first time, during this file review, I saw a couple of patients whose CD4 count was 2. Two. Jeez. It’s like I could almost visualize the last two little soldiers fighting on. Worse, still, I saw one patient whose count was listed as “<1”. As I look through the files, I can’t help but cheer on the ones who are taking their medications regularly (a must for ART) and see their CD4 increase and viral load become undetectable. I also groan with frustration and sadness over the ones who stop their pills or simply disappear from the clinic files. These aren’t just data; these are real people.

My colleagues typically played music while we worked, mostly South African stuff which I enjoyed checking out. I always find it interesting and amusing to see what American music gets embraced by a culture, though. I mean, American music is huge here, just like anywhere else, but in every culture, there are some songs that are really adopted. For example, Toto’s song “Africa” (you know the one: “blah blah the rains down in Aaaaaafricaaaa…”) is a perennial favorite in this country, and can frequently be heard anywhere from the muzak in grocery stores to choral performances, which just seems so amusingly ironic, and yet simultaneously unironic, to me. Anyway, the American song that kept making it into my coworker’s mix was “Another Day in Paradise.” Yeah, the one from the 80s that’s all depressing, like here we are in poverty-filled America, how about that? Anyway, so not one, but TWO cover versions (!) of this played many times during my stay. All I could do was laugh at the absurdity of it all, hold my head, and say, “ay yi yi!”

There were five feral kitties on the clinic grounds who ran away from people, except those holding chicken, and generally spent their time lounging in the sun and dumpster diving. Of course, I tried to make them love me, but they had no interest. Here’s their glamour shot:
There are two last little cultural tidbits that I first observed on this trip. One is that in South Africa, the date of, say, March 05, 2008, could be written 05/03/08 OR 08/03/05. And both are considered acceptable. Of course this leads to ridiculously unnecessary confusion, and potentially poor data quality. It’s just kinda classic. The other thing is that, if my coworkers are any indication, people seem to have no qualms about sharing drinking glasses. I noticed this when a sweaty dude marched right up, poured my water glass full, and proceeded to chug it. Assuming he was just unaware and wouldn’t want to drink after me, I said, “Oh, that’s my glass!” and he smiled big, nodded, and gave a thumbs up! THEN he poured a glass for the lady next to me in the same glass! Being a notorious non-sharer myself, my eyes about popped out of my head. And these are health workers! This one was news to me.

Here’s a photo of me and my coworkers (some had already left) on our last morning. Can you spot me?

And a bonus photo of my adorable, brilliant friend Alex, age 9, in Durban. She’s wearing my fun new sunglasses, but the other fabulous accessories are all her own.

Johannesburg, South Africa, March 2008

2008-03-06T01:22:00.001-05:00

It’s late summer in Johannesburg. Every afternoon we are treated to monstrous thunderstorms where the span between lightening and thunder is negligible and the buildings thrust with each enormous boom. These brief episodes bring about the green lushness that the city enjoys during the dry hours. I swear this must be the season of the lovers—I see them in every verdant, open space, leaning together enjoying a late summer evening. There is warmth in every direction.

I’ve been here two weeks, but it seems more like a month or more already, given how jammed-packed my days have been with new experiences and sights. It’s a country where days start early—it’s expected that you’ll be at work around 8 am, and friends don’t hesitate to call you at that hour even on the weekends—so you have to be up and ready with the sun. Ibises, which (to me) resemble dodos, and are effectively the pigeons of South Africa, will arouse any late sleepers with their screaming “caaaaaawwww!”

One of the things that is new this time around is the intense local interest I've noticed in the U.S. election. Every time someone--from taxi drivers to waiters--hears my accent, I get, "Oh, you're American! Tell me about the election!" I swear, most average folks here are following the results closer than I am. I think the source of this is two-fold: sincere pleasure at the fact that George Bush is leaving office and definitely an incredible excitement about Obama. I see what bridges he could build internationally--just by being himself--if he makes it to the office. It's gratifying to know that, at least in this part of the world, we're nearly forgiven for the past eight years with no lingering hard feelings.

Back to the personal, my housing situation has been inadequate—I’ve been staying on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand—and while this has been an interesting ethnographic observation of South African undergraduate life, I’m ready to settle into an apartment with my old self. On Sunday, I’ll finally get to unpack my bags at my new flat. My living space is so important to me—even when I travel—that I’m already fantasizing about hanging up my clothes and stacking books on the shelf.

But before then, I’m off to sweet old Durban this weekend, where it will be 90+ degrees, for a visit with two families that are very dear to me. And on Monday (no time in my new place!) I’m off to Mafikeng, North West Province, which is only about 15 miles from the Botswana border, to work up there for a week. Photos and more updates, including an explanation of what I’m doing here, will follow. For now, here are a few snapshots from around town:

Clouds before an afternoon storm:

This was news to me, but apparently there are Mormons here. The soccer I was already aware of (that's an understatement):

An evening view of Hillbrow, the seedy downtown district where I work, with the landmark Telkom tower:
The view out my office window, taken this very morning. A new parking lot is being built entirely out of brick:

Asheville, NC, 2008

2008-02-18T21:01:00.000-05:00

After sufficiently stuffing myself with Indian and Mexican food and a week of goodbye drinking engagements, I escaped dear San Francisco on the last sunny day before weeks of rain. Since then, I’ve been staying with my mom and my dog in Asheville for a month, and I've managed to tone down my go-go-go personality to the point where it turns out that having no job and no rent actually suits me just fine (for a month at least). I thought I’d already be in Johannesburg by now, but the slow process of getting everything sorted has been a tremendously pleasant, and rare, opportunity to spend time with my family and relax.

Before the end of last year, I finally went modern and got a digital camera. I must admit it's very fun and full of instant gratification, and I've been snapping away during my weeks at home. So, before I take off for 5 months in South Africa (in 2 days!), here are some of my favorite images from a divine sojourn at home. Surely more will follow once I get settled in Jo'burg.

Sunset from our deck is stunning: The weeks have gone by quickly and I've filled my time with paperwork of all sorts. But it's been easy to find time for relaxing pursuits, like cooking up giant lasagnes:One Saturday, Mom and I took a little road trip down the backroads, headin' South, and ended up in the small town in Georgia where my family lived for a few years. While revisiting our old haunts, we stopped at Talulah Gorge and Falls, and drank apple cider like we did many years ago. Here's Mom by the falls:
My brother and his girlfriend joined us for a hike the next weekend out at lovely Warren Wilson. I am such a softie for a vast grassy field, even in the brown wash of winter:Isis completely enjoyed that day, and despite the blustery temps, she unabashedly indulged in her favorite activity:And here's one more cute photo for the road...bath time!

Morehead City, NC, 1980

2007-12-23T13:16:00.001-05:00

Durham, NC, 1993

2007-12-16T23:34:00.001-05:00

I've had this photo sitting on my desk for a few months meaning to post it here because it's one of my favorite photos of myself, which is a limited set, to say the least. I don't know who took it--perhaps Geeta?--but it's about an hour after the Science & Math graduation ceremony. I'd turned 18 two days earlier and I'm still wearing my amazing birthday dress with pom-pom fringe. I'm standing in my empty room, all teary red-eyed, thinking, "what now?"

But this photo feels particularly appropriate for this exact moment in my life. I'm making another big life change, and this one especially feels like a leap of faith. I'm moving away from SF for good (at least for as far as I can see) and headed down to Johannesburg for 6 months. After that, I'm not quite sure. I've laid the groundwork for some future plans, but it all remains unwritten. To be honest, Jo'burg scares the daylights out of me, but I look forward to getting over that and finding my own daily life in that mad place.

I definitely plan to post updates about my adventures in this space. I'm even finally buying a digital camera for the journey, a milestone that surely is presaged in some later passages of Revelations, God help us all. Part of why I have been so neglectful of this site in recent months has been a sorry case of general malaise, so surely a good shock to the system is in order. Happy holidays to you all and stay tuned!

Nevada City, CA, 2007

2007-09-30T17:02:00.001-04:00

Durham, NC, 1993

2007-09-19T00:34:00.001-04:00

It’s easy to find fun old photos of Seth among my collection; I’ve had more adventures at home and around the world with him than probably any of my other friends. Plus he regularly hams it up for the camera. The only challenge is picking just one.

This one is from a Science and Math hotel party in a Carolina Duke motel room that was in complete violation of a battery of school rules, but didn’t stop everyone who was anyone from being there. I took a roll of photos that later were discreetly passed around the whole student body like precious, titillating contraband. I still feel a bit paranoid by posting one publicly now, like I’m going to get busted and my diploma revoked.

Edward didn’t even go to our school, but he was there, beer in hand. I love that Seth is trying hard to look like a badass, but really he looks like he’s twelve and just returning from math team practice. Edward, on the other hand, looks like he didn't even bother changing clothes upon his release from prison.

Note their matching pirate hoop earrings. Adorable. Did you two split the pair?

And oh yeah, happy birthday!

Bakersfield, CA, 2007

2007-09-13T21:18:00.001-04:00

Some of the best discoveries in life sneak up amidst dire circumstances. Case in point: lost and alone in the dusty, beat-down town of Bakersfield, 102 degrees, in an overheated rental car.

Asheville, NC, 2003

2007-08-28T23:23:00.000-04:00

Antigua, Guatemala, 2003 and San Francisco, 2007

2007-08-20T00:06:00.001-04:00

Is there a doctor in the house? Oh yeah!

Congrats to Perfessor Leeevyand a toast to Dr. Hubbard
on the completion of their dissertations. Mazel tov!

The photo of Laura is especially appropriate since several of us celebrated last week over margaritas and Mexican food. Sadly, though, we couldn't go to La Rondalla since the health department shut it down! Come back, La Ro...we need you!

Seattle, 2007

2007-08-13T23:40:00.001-04:00

Placerville (Old Hangtown), CA, 2007

2007-08-05T20:29:00.001-04:00

Jackson, CA, 2007

2007-07-18T00:08:00.001-04:00

We drove on curvy western roads well out of our way to an unsure destination, past dry yellow hills lit golden by the low summer sun. As we spotted the entrance to the lake, we squealed with joy and a bit of relief. Eager to catch the last bit of warmth, we hurriedly pulled on our swimsuits under our clothes, fastening hooks and tying bows—an accelerated feminine ritual—in our rush carelessly flashing flesh to the locals packing up their trucks to head home. This is what I had been so desperately craving after too many foggy days: blazing hot temperatures and a natural swimming spot. Road trip perfection! This was the pay-off that sent us flying down unknown roads, and we were verily rewarded.

Except we weren’t. As we gingerly entered the water, we both recoiled: shit, it was cold! How could a lake not warm up after a month of 90-degree days?

We stood there, so pale and bare, ankle-deep in murky cold and frowned at each other, contemplating our situation. I sank into my skull: I was disappointed by the cold, but also in myself. I felt old and lame, like I was a disgrace to the sanctity of summer. I’d made it to the exact spot I’d conjured in my wildest summer dreams, all hot weather and open water, and barely gave more than a toe to the cause.

After a few minutes of negotiation, Alexis was ready to concede our defeat.

“Forget it.”

“No, man, we can’t.”

“But it’s so cold!”

“Come on. We’ll go in together.

“Arrrrr.”

“Come on. On three.”

“One"

"Two"

"Three."

Santa Cruz, CA, 2007

2007-07-08T19:55:00.000-04:00

Los Angeles, 2006

2007-06-19T00:12:00.000-04:00

Lunching al fresco at the Chateau Marmont. Celebrities not pictured. Mmm, rose.

Developing Country Sad Doggy Hall of Fame

2007-06-03T23:57:00.000-04:00

Those who know me know that I have an oversized soft spot for dogs. But I particularly fall sway to the charms of those pups who can be described (diplomatically) as developing country street dogs. I say these scrappy fellas deserve some glamour shots too.

Botha's Hill, South Africa:Maybe he's just tuckered from chasing springboks and zebras!

Monterrico, Guatemala:
Josh shook his head when I took this one. "Kate, that is the ugliest dog in the world." Nuh uh!Bangkok, Thailand:
In Bangkok, it was clear that the moneyed set preferred pristine, puffy dogs, as shown in the Barky Dog store window below, perhaps to distinguish their pet from the street variety.Personally, I like this champ, who looks like he's taken a few jabs but still comes up from the count.
The best thing about that photo is right after I took it, the dog turned his head and puked.

This happy li'l fella was also in Bangkok. He's nearly a jackal!The night we wearily returned to Bangkok from our road trip, Seth, Shane and I were in a taxi. The three of us looked out the window right as a little doggy disappeared under the roll of a car's tire. We all gasped. Seth and Shane were so sweet and protective--they swore that the dog escaped. I knew it was impossible, but I appreciated their false optimism.

More to follow, surely, after further travels.

San Francisco, 2007

2007-05-27T22:13:00.000-04:00

You say it's your birthday? It's my birthday too, yeah!

So I'm fully rockin' the Early Flirties (TM). 32 is the new hott pink, for sure.

Despite horrible weather (a high of 56!), it's been a good birthday. And of course I'm wearing a summery party frock despite the cold. I'm practically dressed for a night in Havana.

The day has been spent overindulging in food and sparkling alcohol, with a few spa treatments thrown in for good measure. My friend Michael accompanied me to the St. Francis Soda Fountain for my annual birthday milkshake. That's me below, shivering from minimal sunshine and maximal milkshake:
We took a foggy but scenic tour all around town on his Vespa--the Mission, Noe Valley, Castro--and I hollered "It's my birthday!" in English and Spanish to anyone who could hear.

I'm off to continue my overindulgences at the 10th annual Memorial Day party thrown by Chris Sams and the Brothers Parker, and the sun has even popped out for a cameo appearance before it sets for the night. Amazing.

One sad note to report: the Happy Jerk-Off Clown met his demise with a loud CRACK! At least he died doing what he loved best...which was all he knew how to do, really. There's a lesson there for all of us.

UPDATE: I've added a photo that captures the happy, dirty little fella at his finest (and functional) hour, and the pony puzzle too!

Durham, NC, 1993

2007-05-09T01:06:00.000-04:00

In honor of her upcoming wedding, here's one of my favorite old photos of Rebecca hanging out at the train tracks that we all loved. It's an apt representation of the best parts of those two years in Durham.

Big Sur, CA, 2003

2007-05-04T00:25:00.000-04:00

Columbus Junction, IA, 2004

2007-04-24T23:14:00.001-04:00

Snow Mountain, CA, 2005

2007-04-19T00:23:00.000-04:00

Durban, South Africa, 2004

2007-04-11T10:12:00.000-04:00

The funny thing about spending a good bit of time in Southern Africa is that when you get comfortable in your day-to-day routine, you generally could be anywhere, since life has such similarities all across the globe. But then you run into this:
Or a caterpillar that looks like it could eat your arm off. Or a Pondoland snail that appears ready and able to swallow your head. Or naughty monkeys raiding the trash bins in the backyard. Then you stop yourself and say, oh yeaaaaah, I'm in Africa.

Chapel Hill, NC, 1996

2007-04-05T01:52:00.000-04:00

Argh, what time. A hurricane, for god's sake! Could the symbolism have been more overt?! What is there to say except indeed all was uprooted (eventually), but still, I adore the angles here and Sarah's...well, everything about her in this photo, especially her loud, infectious laugh that comes ringing through clear as day. But back to the subject at hand, yeah, I don't want to have an orgy with any of you. Sorry.

Redwood Country (?), CA, 2003

2007-03-27T00:45:00.000-04:00

I know that Arthur is officiating Josh and Tina's wedding later this year, but in the event that he can't perform his duties, I nominate Sasquatch. You can just picture it here:Not bad, huh?

Port Gamble, WA, 2007

2007-03-20T23:05:00.000-04:00

At Phase Forever, every morning will begin with a dip in a hot tub and a bottle of champagne.

New Orleans, 1994

2007-03-15T23:57:00.000-04:00

This little fella was celebrating St. Patrick's Day in NO. Bless him, the thing I love best is that he's actually locked his boombox to himself.

San Francisco, 2007

2007-03-04T22:57:00.000-05:00

OK, sure, so the pipes were filthy and housed puddles of stagnant water. And I flashed way too many innocent bystanders on Valencia Street. But it was all for the art, people. Let it never be said we failed to take one for the aaaaart!

Mexico City, 2007

2007-02-26T02:14:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist joining the only other gringas I met in el DF!

San Francisco, 2002

2007-02-15T00:43:00.000-05:00

Update: Well THAT was refreshing. El DF was absolutely perfect. Photos are taking a little longer than normal, but will be up next week.

Check it, fools. I'm outta here for an impromptu long weekend in Mexico City. Hopefully the city will be as alive and photogenic as I've always imagined. Stay tuned...

Kauai, HI, 2006

2007-02-11T22:44:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn, 2000

2007-02-08T00:47:00.001-05:00

For a short spell, during what I now see as an important transition time in my life, I dated a guy who lived in a gorgeous apartment in Park Slope. At best, he was a clumsy man-child, but damn, that apartment was nice. I remember staring out this window during one of our typically detached encounters. At least I always liked this window.

San Francisco, 2000

2007-02-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn, 2000

2007-01-31T22:24:00.000-05:00

From the F-Train, heading from Park Slope to Manhattan.

Chapel Hill, NC, 1998

2007-01-28T23:29:00.000-05:00

In going through my photos to select ones for this site, I’ve realized I have so many good ones of Alexis. Many of them are from memorable events—trips, Phases, parties, erstwhile bachelorette weekends, and so on. I’m not one for choosing a favorite, but I always end up coming back to this one, which was taken on a decidedly ordinary day. In fact, it was my last ordinary day in Chapel Hill. I moved out before I even took my final exams, hellbent on running away to London and turning my back on the sadness that found me during those years. We’re in the back of Josh’s pickup, driving out to Arthur’s country house. It was the last day; it was summertime. It was an end and a beginning. I left the next day, but for that moment we had the sun and warm wind on our summer shirts. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so completely free.

Krabi, Thailand, 2005

2007-01-21T19:43:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the best thing about this photo is that right after I took it, we hopped on this very boat and took a wild, choppy ride to a breathtaking beach where further adventures awaited us. Such are the days that let you die happy.

Lesotho, 2004

2007-01-16T23:33:00.000-05:00

Melbourne, FL, 2001

2007-01-12T14:03:00.000-05:00

Senorita, mas fina, who's that girl??

Chapel Hill, NC, 2007

2007-01-07T17:41:00.000-05:00

So I got some New Years photos back (sadly, one roll is still missing - Update: It got run over! Clearly God and nature intended the evidence to be destroyed.), and like many a libational time before, I looked over them to see what details of the evening may have, uh, slipped my mind. Apparently, Josh was determined to one-up Arthur's trademark "point" pose by not only making it vulgar, but also getting rather acrobatic with it. You wouldn't believe how many photos I have of him in the following pose (thanks to Misty for playing photog in the first):
I move behind the camera, but Josh is still keeping it up. He looks very pleased with himself, doesn't he?!And then Franklin gets in on the action!But I'm not picking on Josh. If I wasn't always safe behind the camera, there'd be countless pictures of me looking far more...compromised.
Big thanks to the NYE 2007 weekend hosts: Tina & Josh and Misty & Drew. And Sean for the fancy wine. Huzzah!

Manhattan, 2001

2007-01-04T21:39:00.000-05:00

Nashville, TN, 1977

2006-12-25T22:23:00.000-05:00

Fuck yeah!

Hope Santa brought all you good boys and girls the modern equivalent of Sit-n-Spins, or whatever else topped your wishlists. Merry merry. xo

St. Louis, MO, 2006

2006-12-20T14:03:00.000-05:00

Big Sur, CA, 2003

2006-12-17T19:20:00.000-05:00

We call the big one Pinchy.

San Francisco, 1997

2006-12-14T11:21:00.000-05:00

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1995

2006-12-11T23:29:00.000-05:00

As Pinochet sets up permanent camp in Hell, I've been thinking about Miguel. Thanks for all you taught me, M.

Near Boone, NC, 1995

2006-12-08T00:03:00.000-05:00

More from the hippie days. Josh was fully into his "Nashville Skyline" look. I love these old photos (taken by self-timer on a FREEZING day) because they are appropriate visual representations of Josh's and my friendship.

And a special shoutout to my trusty camelhair coat that got me through many winters in my late teens and early twenties, and it only set me back $4. So timeless.

Havana, 2000

2006-12-05T00:30:00.000-05:00

NB: This dog looks far too healthy and peppy to gain entry into my upcoming "Developing Country Sad Doggy Hall of Fame."

Atlantic City, NJ, 2001

2006-12-01T01:48:00.000-05:00

Manhattan, 1999

2006-11-27T01:30:00.000-05:00

Lyon, MS, 2006

2006-11-20T11:50:00.000-05:00

This is the mailbox at the former home (and land) of my great-grandfather, the family patriarch who died in 1985. It still bears his name.

San Francisco, 2000

2006-11-13T01:02:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, I visited friends in SF. Alexis had just received a set of seven novelty mustaches from her sister. She and I, with our matching short hairdos, set about wearing one each day for photo shoots around town, amusing ourselves more and more as the days progressed. Here, in honor of her birthday today, I present my favorites. The headline on the incendiary rag that I'm reading is wholly coincidental:

Yeehaw! Brandon Teena's got nothing on this hottie:
Um, and apparently Cheech Marin's got nothin' on this fool:
Happy Birthday, Alexis! See you soon!

Harare, Zimbabwe, 2006

2006-11-13T00:46:00.000-05:00

Spring had arrived in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and the jacaranda trees were in full bloom.

Near Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 2004

2006-11-08T01:33:00.000-05:00

With election results like these (sayonara, Santorum!), I feel like a little jubilation is in order. Even if it really is just at the site of Del Taco shining like a glowing oasis in the desert.

Epworth, Zimbabwe, 2006

2006-11-06T00:16:00.000-05:00

Iowa City, IA, 2005

2006-10-31T12:32:00.000-05:00

Kev and Tim got married today! I'm so happy for you two and wish you all the love in the world.

London, 2006

2006-10-29T23:33:00.000-05:00

Phew...back after a month of travel. Saw Arthur and Jen get married off and escaped without acute liver damage. Just dropped off 6 rolls from the past 4 weeks, so hopefully a few will be worth sharing.

Manhattan, 2001

2006-09-22T13:01:00.000-04:00

There are many things I don't miss about living in New York.

I'm taking off on Sunday for South Africa and Zimbabwe and will be gone for 3 weeks. I'll try to upload some photos while I'm there, but may have some technical difficulties due to a certain unpaid bill. We'll see!

Princeton, NJ, 1994

2006-09-19T00:19:00.000-04:00

This van is so fuckin' beeyutiful, I can't fuckin' stand it!

Seth and I explore the curly, crusty hairs of the armpit of America, around Princeton.

I also think that was the last time I ate a doughnut.

Who ARE these hippie children?

Happy birthday, SeSu! Wish I was there to celebrate with you.

Asheville, NC, 2003

2006-09-15T11:12:00.000-04:00

This gorgeous old bleach factory was demolished to build a Super Wal-mart. Progress!

Napa Valley, CA, 1997

2006-09-13T00:05:00.000-04:00

This is an old favorite. I love the lines--the light and shadow by Kevin and the graceful motion of Lisa--and the mixture of silence and laughter.

Happy Birthday, Lisa!!

Berkeley, CA, 2003

2006-09-10T23:07:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about Sept. 11 a lot over the past few months. After 5 years, the minute details of that day have been catching up with me. I've felt a very human need to relay my personal experiences and connect with other people about what those of us in NYC went through on that bizarre day and the sad ones that followed. I think others I know are feeling this too--Doug and I talked about it when he was here this summer, and I picked up on it in one of Seth's recent blog entries (see "World Trade Shitter"). I planned to share some of my photos and memories of that particularly beautiful September morning here on this blog, which is nothing more than my folly read by a handful of my friends.

But I just can't.

In the past week, I've once again been bombarded by Our! National! Tragedy! (TM) and Saint Giuliani and public grief gone hollow. I don't in any way mean to diminish any one else's experiences or memories of that day, but I've found that for me, the personal is now inextricably tied to the political. So, as old Bob says, "I'll keep it with mine." I'm eager to reflect with others about what we went through as New Yorkers at that time, but only in a private setting.

So, as an alternative, I bring you...
FUCKING NACHOS:

As well as Josh's nasty nacho hands:

Durban, South Africa, 2005

2006-09-07T00:15:00.000-04:00

The Quietest Day of the Year

Rain in Durban,
The quietest day of the year.
Crates of silver sardines
Stacked onto trucks;
Somber onlookers watch the haul
Like a drowning.

Taxi strike steals
The breath from the whistling city;
Young boy breath wasted huffing glue.
Buses too full for those of us waiting.

Another downpour.
The sidewalks empty.
My cluster of leaves is no longer enough --
Run for the cover of a flower seller and find
One fragrant breath.
Shirt soaked to skin again.
A warm, winter downpour in Durban
On the quietest, the shortest, day of the year.

-- June 21, 2005

Clarksdale, MS, 2006

2006-09-05T00:05:00.000-04:00

Berkeley, CA, 2004

2006-08-29T22:51:00.000-04:00

One thing Berkeley has got going for it: crazy sunsets.

Death Valley, CA, 2004

2006-08-27T15:52:00.000-04:00

Let's start the week with a little humor.

Botha's Hill, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2005

2006-08-23T12:31:00.000-04:00

Chinatown, Manhattan, 1999

2006-08-20T22:09:00.000-04:00

For a brief, bright while, Frank St. Jacques and I were best friends. He lived in Chinatown. The night he first walked into Odessa, I felt a punch to my gut and thought, "Oh, this is not going to end well." When inevitability caught up with us, he made me the greatest break up tape ever. To this day, I still love that tape, and I think of him every time I taste whiskey.

Big Creek, MS, 2006

2006-08-20T01:44:00.000-04:00

Sadie, with The Stare, near C.W.'s grave.

Durham, NC, 1992

2006-08-18T00:34:00.000-04:00

Manhattan, 2000

2006-08-18T00:21:00.000-04:00

I love this picture of me and Doug because it's a perfect reminder of an everyday moment. We're in a taxi, dashing off to Penn Station to catch the train to his parents' house. I'm wearing my brown satin mary jane heels. He's in his favorite Jones shirt--I think that's the very day he bought it. Everything is exactly how it was.

Havana, 2000

2006-08-17T13:10:00.000-04:00

This was just one of those fortuitous moments. I was walking down a little street in Havana and found these kids catching bubbles. Havana is ridiculously photogenic, so there will be other photos from there on here soon.

Mission Street, San Francisco, 2001

2006-08-17T12:57:00.000-04:00

I totally forgot about this look of Alexis's. Pink and spikey! Totally rocking the "art student" look.

St. Louis, MO, 2005

2006-08-17T01:48:00.000-04:00

Ahhh, this just looks so soft and inviting.

I-40, Tennessee, 2006

2006-08-16T01:04:00.000-04:00

This didn't make me feel more secure in the least.