Melissa in Austin by GnarGrimeSlop on Flickr.

I had an amazing week in Austin. We got back last night at around 1 am. It seems strange and almost unreal how much I experienced in just 6 days. I can’t imagine better people to have spent a week with, and I can’t wait to do it again next year. It was overwhelming at times, both because of the musicians I was lucky enough to see and because of things going on in my life personally, but it was all perfect. I wouldn’t change a single thing about my first SXSW experience and I am honored to be part of such an amazing team at Weapons of Mass Creation. 

Keep believing in your dreams, folks, big and small. It’s something I can never stress enough. Just be yourself and live your life the way you feel works for you. Don’t let anything hold you back and above all be honest: especially with yourself. 

Thanks for the perspective, Austin. 

I’ll be posting photos and more over the next week or so, I just have to dive in and sort through all of this…

(Source: icatchfoxes)

night windows on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson).

This photograph is over 3 years old. I used to spend a lot of time on the rooftops of parking decks when I was in college. I would run around outside at night in the late summer and take my camera with me. On this particular night, Darren was my adventuring companion.

Darren recently moved to Los Angeles with his amazing ladyfriend Kayla. I went to their going away party a few weeks ago and I realized how easily people can become a big part of your life. It’s not like Darren and I were particularly close, but for some reason we had a connection to each other. We both have a strong desire to pursue our passions in a tangible way, and we both actually have (and continue to) take risks for those things. I think it was just comfortable to be around another human who just understood an integral part of me with no explanation. 

Sometimes even the littlest interactions can have massive repercussions in the life of another. Don’t forget that. Ever. 

Today I had surgery for the first time. I had my two upper wisdom teeth removed. It took about 20 minutes of actual surgery and the last thing I remember is the surgeon telling me that the medicine might burn a little bit as it enters my blood stream and then asking “is being cold nor…” Then I was awake and it was over. Apparently as I was coming out of it, just after being removed from the IV, I flailed my arms around aggressively and asked “when are were going to get these teeth out?” I’m a professional at forgetting important life events immediately upon them happening. MASTER OF MY EMOTIONS. 

I’m watching all the television and sleeping intermittently. I’ve eaten an entire pack of SnackPack, 6 individual servings of apple sauce, a chocolate sundae and 2 cups of jello. So far I’ve covered 2 episodes of Gilmore Girls, 3 episodes of Adventure Time, 3 episodes of Tim & Eric, 8 episodes of Sponge Bob and 2 episodes of Look Around You. I’m currently taking recommendations for what else to watch in the next few days… 

Tomorrow Chris is maybe visiting me after he gets off work to make me some magical healing jello or maybe (hopefully?) something more sustaining like soup while we watch Gilmore Girls together and discuss how accurately it depicts life in Connecticut.

Oh, speaking of Chris: he’s an amazing Viola/Violin player and we played several songs together well a few days ago. I’m hoping that is just the first of many, many collaborations. 

Now back to being loopy tired/hyper/giggly/WEIRD.

See ya soons, internetz.

xo.

These two are best friends. I’m so very glad to know the both of them.

L to R: Chris, Me, Michael.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

Untitled on Flickr by gnargrimeslop (Alex D’Amore).

so many adventures;
spaces between
where we were and where we are.
do we ever realize
the things we become?

jittery-zeitgeist:

@icatchfoxes writing postcards at the bar like the party animal she is (at The Whiskey Ward)

Last night I went to New York with DJ to see/photograph Nada Surf at the Bowery Ballroom. Before the show we wanted to get drinks and found this whiskey bar serving hot toddies. I ended up writing a bunch of Christmas postcards at the bar. A few of them are going to tumblr people. So check your indicias, as your card may have been mailed from Manhattan. Because I’m a party animal, just like DJ says.

abstractnumbers:

Waiting | 09.20.12

A new addition to my “Night” series. I remember going to Mom’s Burgers for the first time and I just knew I had to go back there for a photo shoot. As I was doing test shots, the elder man owner was taking garbage out and notice that I was shooting. He then came over and asked kindly what I was doing and what was it for and so I told him that I’m photographer and taking a photograph for this series. So after some test shots, I was able to get this one and I have to say once I saw this shot, I knew I had it. 

I also wanted to take this time and thank Melissa for being a lovely lady/friend/photographer in being part of this series. She’s been nothing but supportive of my work and I couldn’t thank her enough for it. 

In hopes to expand this series more as I go. Thank you for your patience, hope you enjoy this latest addition.

© May Xiong Photography 2012

My dear friend May asked if she could photograph me for a new series she’s been working on. I am always honored to be a part of another photographer’s work, and she did an amazing job. If you haven’t seen May’s work, be sure to click through to see her blog and check out her portfolio of amazing images.

All the best, dear May. You’re a talent and a delight. <3

GPOY: My office today includes an It’s-It for breakfast. My new job is awesome.

Magic fog… (Taken with Instagram at Golden Gate Bridge South Tower)

GPOY: 2 postcards in one day? edition.

I got a save-the-date postcard for my dear friend Amy’s wedding today. I cannot wait to go witness her marriage to the man of her dreams in November.

The Parthenon postcard is from my brother who is currently in Greece. My favorite line from the postcard is the last one: “Also, everything is cheap and I bought a guitar. Love you!” This is why my brother is awesome and why we are getting to be better at being besties (as well as siblings). That is all.

Stopped in Columbus to see Anzula (#Fresno) who loaned me this awesome hat. Onward to Kentucky, Y’all! (Taken with Instagram at Columbus, OH)

On the road to Columbus. #ohio (Taken with Instagram at Sunbury, Ohio)