Oregon Sunset

Moment of Zen

Kaleidoscope Celebration of Color 2008 Photos

I had such a quandary deciding whether to go to Kaleidoscope as a performer or a photographer. In the end, I decided to spin poi and let my awesome friend Connor Hays man the equipment. I had a wonderful time and he did a fabulous job.

Kaleidoscope Celebration of Color 2008 Photos



(It seems some of you can't see some embedded photos in my blog. Please be patient. This will change when I upgrade my web server next month. )

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2008 Photos

As I continue to feed images into the wood chipper more albums emerge.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2008 Photos

All of the underwater photos and the first three images here were taken with a cheap disposable 35mm camera. I have no use for prints, so I had them developed at a drug store straight to CD-ROM. Considering the production tools couldn't be any lower, the results are surprisingly good. And while I'd never go back, I do find I have an affection for film photography I'd forgotten.

It's Good to Be Home

Sunset in Ft. Tryon Park with the George Washington Bridge

Picture yourself in a boat on a river...

As my trip draws to a close I am content and happy. Gallery Borghese and David are the perfect bookend memories for my trip. I'm so full of joy I can hardly bear it.

The art and beauty I've experienced overwhelmed me again and again, but in the best possible way. Each time I'd stretch to take it all in, my world became a larger place for my experiences. This is why we travel. As we learn more of the world and its peoples we learn more about ourselves and we grow.

Ciao, Italy. Grazie.

The View from Ponte Vecchio

Adios Puerto Vallarta

As I sit on the balcony of my villa and watch the sunset on the last night of my Mexican holiday I can’t help but reflect.

Puerto Vallarta is a lovely place. Despite a full schedule I’m rested and content, not exhausted as I have been after many of my urban holidays.

But it’s not without its blemishes. It’s jammed to the teeth with tourists. In *most* of the bars and restaurants I visited the *only* Mexicans were the staff.

The city has the feel of being both unfinished and falling down. I’m told this is common in Mexican cities.

But Puerto Vallarta’s charms far outweigh any detractions. It’s pretty and balmy. The people are friendly and beautiful. The scenery is picturesque. Most of this place’s faults are charming or just harmless.

And what a time I’ve had! Even losing a day to stupidity and another to food poisoning I still had all the adventures I’d hoped for and many unexpected ones.

I’ve wined, dined, imbibed and partied. I’ve breathed under water and swum with dolphins. I’ve marveled at the majesty of the seas and the heavens.

I’ve heard the Mexican Hat Dance as taxi driver’s cell phone ring. I’ve seen the Wicked Witch of the West bussing tables. And I’ve seen a pimped out bus with undercarriage lighting.

I’ve told an eavesdropping, interrupting, white-trash skank in a restaurant to go fuck herself in response to her demands I stop criticizing American tourists for being obnoxious. (Oh the irony.)

I’ve drunk tequila, eaten crickets, gone native and come down with a most delicious case of jungle fever.

I remembered more Spanish than I expected, but far less than I needed.

In other words, I’ve had a most excellent adventure.

Gracias, Puerto Vallarta. Hasta Luego.

Muy, Muy Bonita