Ta ta twenty ten!

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. If you're going to make a change, why wait for the new year? Like Nike, just do it. That being said, as the calendar comes to an end, I always have the same thoughts in the back of my head. Eat better, exercise more, save money. I never end up following through with anything. We're all thinking of the new year and the possibilities it holds, but few of us act upon it. Instead of looking ahead, today I'm looking back.

2010 was a good year. It didn't start out that way. In fact, it was the worst New Year's so far. I drank too much, embarrassed myself entirely, dry heaved into my friend's toilet, sobered up slightly, went way out of my way to go find my boyfriend who was pained by my mere presence (even when sober), and ended up spending the majority of January 1, 2010 at my boyfriend's friend's house with the worst hangover in history, sitting alone in a corner while my boyfriend ignored me. A few days later we ended our relationship of 2 years. I moved in with my two gay friends, got assigned as assistant stage manager for a play, and started focusing on my life. I loved and lost in a matter of 2 months. I auditioned for two theatre schools and got rejected by both. I began using film cameras, and I don't think I'll ever go back to digital. I got my motorcycle license and bought a scooter.I traveled to Vancouver to see the festival of lights and The Lion King. I decided that acting wasn't for me and chose to pursue production. I made new friends and became closer with old friends. I competed in the Vancouver International Latte Art Competition. I assistant stage managed another play. I drank, I danced, I laughed till I was hoarse, I cried till I was dehydrated, I played laser tag, I played piano, I dreamed big, I had disappointments, I made mistakes, and I appreciated the little things.

In the next year, if I eat crappy food, blow every pay cheque, and still don't fit into that dress, I won't mind as long as I've learned as much as I have this year.

Ektar 100

I am not one to praise the mass consumerism that comes with Christmas, but I can not deny that this year I have been spoiled. My father gifted me a Yashica 35 MF. He found it in a second hand store. It still has the original leather case. He cleaned out some corroded batter acid, polished it up, and it's as good as new. My mother gave me a book of the pictures taken of The White Stripes throughout their Canadian tour that took them to every province and territory. First of all, they are my favorite band. Second of all, it's a perfect depiction of the vast beauty of this country. Third of all, it's entirely analogue.

Walking home from work yesterday with my Yashica around my neck, inspired by the photos of the tundra, I took a route I've never explored. I was standing on the edge of a field. Across the field was a road. On the other side of the road was a tiny wooden house accompanied by the skeleton of a large tree. Behind the house was an open snowy field stretching up into the tree line of a small mountain. The clouds opened up and the house was hit with very bright, low angle sunlight. The kind you only get this time of year. It was the perfect photo op, except for one thing: I was standing on the wrong side of the field. I only had a few seconds before the clouds would swallow up the sun. I had to take action. I sprinted into the field, kicking up snow and mud, ruining my chucks as I ripped out weeds with my ankles. Memo to me: take it easy on the Christmas baking next year. Gasping and wheezing, I reached the road with enough time to snap a couple photos, then the clouds swooped in and everything was grey.
Put that in your iPhone hipstamatic and smoke it.

Oh, those summer nights.

Flipping through old prints has made me extremely nostalgic for the summer. It's so grey this time of year.

Reederz

I feel like I should be trying to get more people to read my blog, but there are a lot of people I know that I don't want reading it.
How do I advertise to people I don't know? Spam?
Meat doesn't belong in a can.

Stop Motion

I have a camera that looks like this.

It takes pictures like this.

I broke the pictures down into single frames and strung them together to make a series of four frame stop motions. My friend Jeff wrote the music.

I went for a walk on a Winter's day.

I'd be safe and warm if I were in LA.

Which I will be January 16th.

My best friend bought me a trip to Disneyland for Christmas.

What did your best friend get you?

Run In

Every day I find myself in bewilderment of how small this city is.
We all run in the same circle.