coffee, coffee

Sometimes I think about things that I did as a kid (like I'm so old) and marvel at my (coffee-like) boldness.

In 6th or 7th grade, I tried out for the talent show, claiming "dance" as my talent. I made it up on the fly, performing in the gymacafetorium, in front of my classmates. I didn't make it.

Freshman year of high school, I ran for class treasurer. I had to make a speech on camera. I have no idea what I said. I lost.

A few years after that, the summer after 10th grade, I was in a play. I had to sing on stage every night, sometimes twice, for about two weeks straight. I had a "solo" where I had to say, "NO COFFEE?!?!" as if my life depended on it. I was fabulous.

Junior year of high school I tried out for the high school musical (no, not that one). I sang on stage, in front of classmates. ALONE. I didn't make it.

Senior year of college, I had my solo art exhibition/thesis piece. Piece of cake.

I guess the point is that I feel most like myself when I'm behind the camera, watching and documenting all the action as opposed to in front of the camera (or audience) being the action.

But thanks to that one summer community theatre..."coffee, coffee" will always be funny.

So I present to you this photograph of my mother's hands wrapped around a delicious cup of diner coffee.

flying high

This picture is an oldie, but a goodie. Looking down on the clouds from thousands of feet in the air, my friends and I made our way to Detroit Rock City last year for our friend Kelli's Wedding.

Kelli and her hubby Sam moved to Germany soon after her wedding, and lately I've been thinking about her a lot (but maybe that's just because she's been bombarding me with links to check out her hand knit prducts, available here).

Anyway, that weekend was one of the best in my life, and worst in my life. Best because I got to witness one of the most personal and individual weddings around, and because I got to spend great quality time with my girlfriends. And worst because our original flight was delayed, we were soaked with rain, and hungover the next day.

Oh, and also because I had to fly. I'm getting better with my fear of flying - but this was a rough flight. I had Lisa next to me on the way over, and we had some alcohol and a few good laughs. But on the way back we had a lot of turbulence and I started to cry. It was bad enough that the guy sitting in front of us turned around to comfort me. Don't get any ideas, he just wanted to add his support, being a stunt pilot by profession.

Anyway - once the turbulence subsides and you clear the first batch of clouds, nothing is better than looking down on the world below. Especially if it's sunny, you have a jack and coke, and your best friends right next to you.