[m.olson]

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.

Home

Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): AMERICAN AIRLINES DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU..

empireempireband:

American Airlines broke my Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar AGAIN on the way back from England, despite it being in a flight case. For those of you who don’t know, that’s ONCE on the way to England where I get it professionally repaired, and then AGAIN on the way back. I spoke to a customer…

American Airlines has failed me, my family, my friends and many many others so many times I’m actually surprised they’ve maintained business. I have not flown AA in at least six years, and the experience I had then made sure I will never fly AA again. It’s situations like this that make it more difficult for talented musicians to travel and share their music with a broader audience. Terrible customer service by an air travel company should not bring everything a band does on a daily basis to a grinding halt.

Help out Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) and e-mail deborah.odle-mancienne@aa.com to tell her this is unacceptable behaviour.

↵ Reblogged from empireempireband

# american airlines

# empire! empire! (I was a lonely estate)

# gibson les paul custom

# broken guitar

My friend John is one of the best ones.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

I always miss my far away friends…

… but at least I get to hang out with DJ in New York in less than 3 months.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

# Being an adult is awesome

Amanda on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson)

Hey thanks, thanks for that summer
it’s cold where you’re going
i hope that your hearts always warm.

# photographers on tumblr

Currently finalizing plans for:

~~Three city/Three day road trip mid/late September~~
~~Disneyland~~/California Adventure
San Diego Zoo
San Francisco (Local Edition, ~~California Academy of the Sciences~~, ~~ENTIRE lands end trail~~, Bike on Golden Gate?, SF MOMA, Disney Family Museum)
Vegas
~~Austin~~
~~Pittsburgh~~
DC
~~NYC~~
ENGLAND???
ALL THE PLACES.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

# dreams do come true

# wanderlust

LAX

LAX is simultaneously the worst airport and best airport in the United States. I did the math just now and realized I’ve flown through or to over 90% of the large commercial airports in the continental US. (and a lot of really small regional airports, some of them quite unfortunately.) The people watching at LAX is second to none, being confused for someone famous has happened to me here twice and I can achieve almost complete loneliness (in an amazingly beautiful way) by sitting at an unused gate putting on my headphones and pretending I’m not going anywhere as I watch everyone hurry to get where they’re going. LAX is a microcosm of the world at large. This is where it can get sad. I don’t know if I even need to explain that. The lonely part can get sad too, if I choose the wrong music (talons’ or certain Damien Jurado albums) or have a layover longer than 3 hours. I travel all the time. I’ve built my life upon wheels which means I’m always moving on.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

Paris: in our hotel lobby on Flickr.

GPOYW: one time I was in Paris in 2008 and it was really bitterly cold.

(Source: icatchfoxes)

Crashing through the daylight;

[or a recollection gathered up while driving the 99-S, again. in no particular order:]

It’s so much easier for me to wake up early in a room without blackout curtains.
The danger is why it’s any fun.
Never enough pizza.
The trouble of recovering from an upper respiratory infection makes for a good reason to throw a tiny yellow box out the window.
I need a better mattress; better sleep is worth it.
I’m comfortable liking the things I like; even when others disagree. Guilty pleasures are kind of silly. As Hilary taught me: why should I feel guilty for something I legitimately like?
I need more train rides, more plane rides, more bike rides, more rapid city walking…
Why are hash browns so much better from a drive-thru window?
Sometimes I just don’t care that my phone exists.
My hands make me vulnerable.
I should send more postcards.
That girl in the quirky glasses, bowler hat and oversized sweater HAD to have been Alexis Bledel. HAD TO HAVE BEEN.