2011: Year In Review

It’s that time again! That time where I put together what is effectively a clip show, for my blog.

Last week, in the midst of packaging presents to send to family and trying to figure out what the heck people write in Christmas cards, I realized this was next on the to-do list. I couldn’t possibly imagine summarizing this year. It’s been so full of fun, laughter, rekindling old friendships and jump-starting new ones. Not to mention it was my busiest wedding season yet, and the year I quit my job. While everything wasn’t sunshine and lollipops (is it ever?!), it definitely was one of the best years ever. If 2011 were a seller on eBay, I’d just say: A+++++++ Would do business with again!

But it’s not, so I have to get all sappy on you guys.

• I realize there’s no way this post is being written without a heavy emphasis on food, but let this small dedication encompass all the cooking revelations I had. Like Balsamic Strawberry Jam, the Best Brownies EVER, and pretty much the easiest way to lure friends over to your house.
• It’s crazy to think that Franny has been apart of our little family for over a year now. This time last year, she was just settling in, standing her ground in front of King Felix, and making a name for herself as the Usurper.
• I finally stepped out from underneath the rock I’ve been living under to make friends and go on camera dates. Brianne was one such friend, as well as a whole bunch of other photo folks I don’t see nearly enough. Making time for more photo walks is one of my resolutions for 2012.

• 2011 will always be known as The Year I Did Ridiculous Things For A Burrito. In February, Chris and I walked through what I perceived to be a hurricane so I could have a Valentine’s Day burrito. Earlier this month we rode our bikes in 30 degree weather so I could have a No Special Reason I Just Wanted One Real Bad burrito. Stuck on what to give me for Christmas? You’re welcome.
• The Grande Dalles had their Inaugural Wine Release Party at the James John Cafe. I went for the Home Place, but came back with the Leroy’s Finest. We saved the bottle until we visited the fam in California — it was enjoyed by all.
• The glory of a full-frame camera was finally mine to enjoy. As well as the sadness of getting rid of lenses that are DX-only. Sniff.

• Getting up at the buttcrack of dawn only to walk up and down aisles for 6 hours with no breaks took a major toll on me. Many late-mornings were spent staring out the window while my sore feet dangled off the edge of the bed.
• I lopped off all my hair for the first time in several years. While I absolutely loved having a stylish new ‘do, I stayed true to female form and made sure to mention how much I missed my long hair one month later.
• Last year introduced me to the world of medium format, but this year really got me excited about shooting film in general. My friend Wayne sent me a care package that helped me get my film-feet off the ground. This was also around the time that I started developing closer relationships with online photographers, and I’m really proud to call them my friends and colleagues.

• I didn’t actually take this photo — I think Chris did, or someone else while they were on tour in California. It has been super exciting to watch Harlowe‘s star rise, and I can’t wait for them to start recording their new album in January. 2012 should be an exciting year for this incredible band.
• After visiting San Francisco for a few days, we went home for Easter weekend and attended Chris’s mom’s ordination ceremony. It was awesome to see a full-on celebration of one of the hardest working women I know.
• While we were in San Francisco I got to spend time with Jessica, a dear friend I hadn’t seen since my wedding in 2006. I also got to meet Diyosa and a slew of Bay Area Flickrites that I hope to see again when I’m there next May!

• My former color photo professor was in town as an artist in residence. I only saw her a few times, but it was great hunkering down and chatting in a less formal atmosphere. She also is the one who introduced me to the RZ67 and Olympus Pen. Thanks, Nicole!
• Having good times in the park was a mandatory precursor to summer (in the event that summer didn’t happen, which is entirely possible in the PNW).
• My favorite local cafe, Cartola, ‘temporarily’ closed. They were supposed to reopen after the summer, but never did. The only good to come of this is that we inevitably started saving money by using our Chemex every day.

• Okay, I admit that I’m not actually sure what month Ben finally moved up to Portland from Silverton, but it was somewhere in this ballpark. Since then, my weekly desires for hangouts, foodventures and — oh yeah, FREE PASTRIES! — has been more than satisfied. It’s so great to have my best friend in the same city, again.
• Chris and I celebrated our 5th year of marriage! I called in ‘sick’ to work and we had brunch at Bridges. I probably ate bacon and drank lots of coffee.
• Chris’s parents drove up for a family visit, with their newest furry friend in tow. Shanti used to belong to Chris’s grandmother, but she moved into a retirement home that didn’t allow pets. Not gonna lie… She totally made me kinda sorta almost maybe want a dog.

• This was one of the best summer months I’ve had in a long time. It got kicked off with a watergun fight in Laurelhurst Park that also marked the beginning of many beautiful and new friendships for me. I love my Portland peeps!
• I finally went berry picking on Sauvie Island.
• A wedding led me to Humboldt, where I stayed with our former housemate, Kristina. We did summery stuff, like go to farmer’s market, eat sandwiches at the river and sing Mariah Carey on the whole drive back to town. I really love Kristina and hope that summer visits to Humboldt become a regular thing for me. Miss you, girl.

• I came home from my Humboldt visit feeling refreshed and ready to re-start a lot of areas of my life. Mostly I was inspired by Kristina to take more time to drink tea, stop putting ideas off and keep a tidy home (still workin’ on that last part).
• Allyson invited me to visit the Rogue Hop Farm in Independence, OR and I didn’t drink a sip of beer. Instead, I had about 3 glasses of root beer on tap. Root Beer 4 Life!
• I finally picked up a decent flash and started a self-directed crash course in flash photography. It’s been a great learning experience, and now I don’t cry every time the lighting isn’t just right.

• Mixing business with pleasure is a personal favorite of mine. My trip to Redding this year was crammed full of official shoots, unofficial shoots, catching up with family and friends and all their adorable little rugrats…
• …And getting a new tattoo! A friend and recent Kiwi-convert was also in town and emblazoned an homage to Chris on my forearm — a blind contour he drew of me back in college. It took less than 5 minutes to do, but I will treasure it forever as my way of always having Chris close to me. Thanks, Mel!
• Chris is going to scoff at me because I have been very bad about practicing lately, but I still remember the magic I felt when I first plucked the strings of a banjo that was just lying around at the Harlowe House. This photo is from my birthday in October when I actually got a banjo to call my own.

• Just mere days before I turned 27 I worked my final day at Safeway. A client gifted me a complimentary stay at Hotel Lucia, which we used on my actual birthday. We watched a ball game on a really big TV, had nachos and margaritas at 11pm and ate at one of my favorite greasy spoons, Fuller’s, before heading home to the gatos the next day. I probably ate bacon and drank way too much coffee. A birthday well spent.
• Ben’s birthday is a couple weeks before mine, but we celebrated it belatedly at Uchu Sushi, a place famous for also serving fried chicken.
• Andrew made my year when he used his tour ‘stache to morph into Mario for Halloween, and even played a show (he’s the violinist for Harlowe) in full costume.

• After 2 1/2 years in Portland I finally own a pair of rain boots! Oddly enough, this winter has been incredibly dry compared to normal PNW standards. Figures!
• Allyson and I shot a wedding together, which was quite special considering I shot my very first wedding with her, too. We had a pantload of fun sneaking into the bathrooms to take pictures of each other. ;) Really really looking forward to more photo dates with this woman.
• Mario — I mean, Andrew — invited us to his aunt’s house for a Thanksgiving potluck, where he and Chris woo’ed us all with some after-dinner tunes. That was a lifesaver because I had let the holidays sneak up on me and honestly imagined us eating baked potatoes and catching up on The Daily Show. Instead I got to cover my plate with more food than I could possibly eat and then eat some more. Good times.

• I’m slightly embarrassed by how many cameras I seem to have acquired over the last 12 months. Priorities: I Can Haz Them. By far, though, the F100 was my favorite of them all. And also the cheapest. Win!
• It’s almost like the second we flip the page on the calender the cats go into Full Gonzo Snuggling Mode. Can’t even count how many lazy December Sundays (or Mondays…) were spent on the couch with Felix copping a feel on yours truly. The truth is he just really loves that pillow.
• Being the end of the year, we’re always prone to reflecting on the past while looking to the future for what it may hold. I’m beyond gleeful to announce that come 2012 I will be flying to Paris to shoot an elopement. And while I may cringe when I look back on my early years with photography, I know that there’s no way I’d be boarding that plane in May if I hadn’t kept on keepin’ on.

A huge thanks to everyone in my life — offline & on — who made 2011 so utterly spectacular. You guys rock.