I'm Melissa. This is where I write things down and share new things. Sometimes I even post cute pictures of cats...

if you're looking for my portfolio,
it can be found here, or by clicking any of the links across the top of this page.

I just moved back to Ohio after living in the central valley of California for almost three years. People still mention that I'm all grown up and keep asking how being an adult is going, but I really don't know what they're referring to.

I'm officially a (self-proclaimed) curator -- OF GIFS. GIF CONNOISSEUR. Check it out. My GIF blog even made it to buzzfeed once.
ONE MORE CHECK OFF MY LIFELONG INTERNET TO-DO LIST.

Albums of note UPCOMING/2011/2010/2009
A list of albums from the year that had staying power. Not a top album list, because I haven't heard every album, so that just seems a bit silly to me -- the whole "of the year" thing... although I suppose in my own mind that's what they are...

THE ARCHIVES

Nostalgia
a place where I keep things that are already memories and store things that are currently in my life that will inevitably become memories. Vague enough?

Vestiges of a Life Soon Forgotten
A photographic series devoted to images taken in and around my apartment where I lived for 3 years in college. I moved out for good in December 2009.

Photobooth Sketches
photobooth documentation of sketches i have done and/or found.

Monthly Self Portrait Series
This was a short-lived project that sometimes shows up without warning again on my feed, but definately cannot be considered an "on-going" thing.

My New California Life
What started as an essay series about my experiences living on the left coast turned into a general account of my life here -- through words, photos and other ephemera.

jef etters tips of the day
Jef Etters was a colleague of mine who gave me life tips on a daily basis via a telephone call from a rotary phone. I would then transcribe the tips and post them here for the benefit of all mankind. He didn't know what tumblr was (nor does he now), but he did want to share all his wisdom with the world. enjoy.
PLEASE NOTE: Jef did finally get free long-distance after 7pm EST and will occasionally call to give me tips to transcribe. Be on the look out, it'll change your life.

ScreenCaptureSeries
Funny and or poignant things I feel the need to share with the world via screen capture. This project carries on with the luck that the internet will continue to bring the lulz. I think the odds are in our favor.

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Untitled on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson) I really am going to miss you, California. See you soon.

Untitled on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson)

I really am going to miss you, California. See you soon.

ross on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson) — from the Men series I completed for my senior thesis. I miss this one. I am overwhelmingly happy that he’s still my friend. I don’t know what I would do without friends like him… I’m seriously a lucky girl to have the handful of close friends that I do… It makes me remember what’s important in life. Thanks for being you, Ross.

ross on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson) — from the Men series I completed for my senior thesis.

I miss this one. I am overwhelmingly happy that he’s still my friend. I don’t know what I would do without friends like him… I’m seriously a lucky girl to have the handful of close friends that I do… It makes me remember what’s important in life. Thanks for being you, Ross.

Harvard Ave. in the Autumn on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson) This is the street where I live. This was taken last winter. Today I’m going to go take photos with a girl I’ve spent very little time with, but is an exceptional talent as a photographer. She’s quite a few years younger than me, but doesn’t act it. She’s doing what she loves and I can’t wait to get to know her better.

Harvard Ave. in the Autumn on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson)

This is the street where I live. This was taken last winter. Today I’m going to go take photos with a girl I’ve spent very little time with, but is an exceptional talent as a photographer. She’s quite a few years younger than me, but doesn’t act it. She’s doing what she loves and I can’t wait to get to know her better.

Outside Mojave - Rt. 14 on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson) I don’t know how to carry this. I still mean it, if I had more notes, I’d pass them all. Maybe my problem is that I decided one time when I was much younger that I’d be honest with everyone about my feelings. Maybe that’s not what you’re supposed to do. I can still hear the wind turbines buzzing and the wind cracking down the highway. My toes are still numb from the cold and I still remember the nervousness of waiting. You said you’d take the back way, show me the desert in the winter. I didn’t realize I would be taking my favorite photographs on that trip. I didn’t realize how important those moments were until they were over. I likely don’t remember what you actually said; maybe because the girl talk story just makes me laugh and want to kiss you the way I did that day. I want to go to the desert. I want to sit under the turbines and photograph the Joshua Trees. I want to stop the car on the side of the road just to get out and take a picture. I don’t want to have a destination; I want to live right now.

Outside Mojave - Rt. 14 on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson)

I don’t know how to carry this. I still mean it, if I had more notes, I’d pass them all. Maybe my problem is that I decided one time when I was much younger that I’d be honest with everyone about my feelings. Maybe that’s not what you’re supposed to do.

I can still hear the wind turbines buzzing and the wind cracking down the highway. My toes are still numb from the cold and I still remember the nervousness of waiting.

You said you’d take the back way, show me the desert in the winter. I didn’t realize I would be taking my favorite photographs on that trip. I didn’t realize how important those moments were until they were over. I likely don’t remember what you actually said; maybe because the girl talk story just makes me laugh and want to kiss you the way I did that day.

I want to go to the desert. I want to sit under the turbines and photograph the Joshua Trees. I want to stop the car on the side of the road just to get out and take a picture. I don’t want to have a destination; I want to live right now.

Eric in SLO. m olson. December 25, 2010. 200 followers as of this morning. One of them is the guy in this picture: my little brother.

Eric in SLO. m olson. December 25, 2010.

200 followers as of this morning. One of them is the guy in this picture: my little brother.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

[Pacific Coast Highway. m olson. december 25, 2010.] this year my family drove up the coast of california for christmas. what did you do?

[Pacific Coast Highway. m olson. december 25, 2010.]

this year my family drove up the coast of california for christmas. what did you do?

(Source: icatchfoxes)

Harvard Ave. in Autumn. m. olson. November 2010. [Holga. 120 Fuji Pro 400H.]

Harvard Ave. in Autumn. m. olson. November 2010.

[Holga. 120 Fuji Pro 400H.]

(Source: icatchfoxes)

[San Francisco Rooftop. Mission District. September 2010. m. olson]

[San Francisco Rooftop. Mission District. September 2010. m. olson]

(Source: icatchfoxes)

hud: Basketball Courts of the Marcy Houses, Bed-Stuy // Holga, 120mm if you guys aren’t following hudson lines and you like dreamy, lo-fi photography taken with those old machines that are mostly collecting dust around the world at this point — you are really missing out. also. i’m going to be shooting with my holga more come autumn. and by autumn, i mean ALL WINTER in fresno.

hud:

Basketball Courts of the Marcy Houses, Bed-Stuy

// Holga, 120mm

if you guys aren’t following hudson lines and you like dreamy, lo-fi photography taken with those old machines that are mostly collecting dust around the world at this point — you are really missing out.

also. i’m going to be shooting with my holga more come autumn. and by autumn, i mean ALL WINTER in fresno.

[self portrait: talking on the phone across time zones. 10.2009. m. olson.]

[self portrait: talking on the phone across time zones. 10.2009. m. olson.]