Come Photowalk Austin, TX on Saturday the 17th!

Come Photowalk with me on Saturday, September 17th!

Another photowalk, Lotus? Yes, another one! They’re just a bit addicting, and for good reason – they’re FUN! This photowalk  is right in my backyard – Austin, TX – and I couldn’t be more excited about that. It’s nice when the people come to you. *wink*

This one is a biggie! Join Dell and Google+ for a photowalk by Richard Binhammer, Thomas Hawk & Robert Scoble. Come out and  you’ll also meet and walk with Googlers Vincent Mo, Chris Chabot, Dave Cohen, and Natalie Villalobos, as well as photographers Peter Tsai, Jack Hollingsworth, Alvin Toro and yours truly.

Both Dell & Google+ are involved in the ACL Festival this weekend as well. Dell is helping live stream the event in ways that have never been done, bringing the performances of big music acts at the festival to millions of fans across the world on YouTube, in real time. See more about that here. I’m going to get an inside look at the technology used to make this possible so that the the best of this amazing festival can be brought to everyone by the cooperative efforts of C3, Arts Labor, AMD and Dell over the weekend. I’ll share that with you in words and photos as I can. Exciting!

Google+ is going to be on-hand at the festival with their own stage. Anybody that hasn’t already signed up for a G+ account can sign up for one on the spot and get a portrait taken to be displayed on a screen at the festival. How’s that for cool? So if you’re there, and don’t yet have an account, it’s the perfect time. If you do already have one, go say hi and tell them how much you love them. They are SUPER awesome and nice people to meet, trust me.

And of course, if you’re coming to ACL look for me! I’ll be roaming and shooting all weekend, as Dell has so kindly given me access. Even if you can’t make the festival, please make sure you make your way to the Photowalk on Saturday. RSVP on the Plancast page by clicking this link. It’s going to be an amazing time with a bunch of really great folks, walking and photographing the sights in fabulous and Austin, TX. And a little birdie told me there will be prizes.

See you there!

Loter’s Blissdom 2011 – Part 2

Part 1

Jockey & Tide sponsored Thursday night festivities at Blissdom and it was seriously a blast. My roomies (Mishelle, Dawn, Leslie, Victoria) and I all got dressed up and headed to “the red carpet” to kick off the night. This was basically just a chance to act silly and be photographed (Malia joined us on the carpet).

photo by Heather Durdil

Mishelle captured a great shot of the red carpet photographers, Casey, Hannah, Elan, and Heather.

We ate from a variety of foods provided to us – my favorite thing was pulled pork sandwiches with a vinegar-based barbecue sauce. What can I say, I’m still a NC girl at heart when it comes to BBQ!

I was also witness to a momentous occasion: Mishelle had her very first Guinness.

*oooooh* *ahhhhh*

We all enjoyed the food and drinks, chatted, and laughed together.

last four photos by Mishelle Lane

After hanging out for a little while, we headed into the nightclub, Fuse, to watch performances by Michelle Branch and Mat Kearney.

What a treat – both musicians put on a fabulous show. I was particularly excited to see Michelle Branch, as I’ve utterly adored her music for so many years.

last two photos by Mishelle Lane

I generally don’t go all “fangirl” and have photos taken/do meet and greets, but I didn’t pass up the opportunity this time.

photo by Jana Warnke

Once the performances were over, there was dancing…

…and then people wandered off here and there throughout the hotel to eat, hang out, and just have a great time, late into the night.

photo by Mishelle Lane

These are memorable portions of the night – the times you spent laughing with various groups of friends, catching up, sharing hugs, smiles, and silly moments.

At some point later on, Mishelle, Jim, Diane, Amy and I ended up in the Garden Conservatory. As you can see, we spent a little time being goofballs.

Mishelle and her camera… she had me model for her throughout the hotel. I didn’t argue… even when she asked me to climb onto a piano. What can I say? I’m easy.

last two photos by Mishelle Lane

And of course, Diane gave me her now traditional, on-camera, one-finger salute.

It’s this kind of silliness that makes time with best friends so fun!

Still to come – Friday, Flashmob!, Girl’s Night In, and Saturday’s Photo Walk.

to be continued…

It may or may not be cold outside. Merry Christmas!

Frankly, it’s 54F outside right now, and the forecast high for today is in the 60s.  On a couple of days next week, it’s supposed to be in the 70s.  I will now duck your thrown punches. So, pretty much, no, it’s not really very cold here in Austin, TX.

Last year we had snow a week into the New Year (we were still living in Nashville).  Braden expects it this year, and I keep having to tell him we will probably not see it.

No matter the weather, we’re enjoying some Christmas spirit in our home right now.  We’ve been tracking Santa already and are currently watching The Polar Express.  I sense there will be cookies consumed later today – along with our usual brunsli and spitzbuben, I made these monsters yesterday.  Hey, at 433 calories a cookie, it eats like a meal! (Better get out my stretch pants.)

It’s been a wonderful holiday season, from the lights to the tree and the anticipation of the big day itself. Braden’s first time sitting on Santa’s lap and talking to him was a rousing success. My heart definitely grew to three times its previous size.

Now it’s Christmas Eve, and before I completely lose myself in:

• trying not to cry at the insanely joy-filled excitement spilling out of my son (already failed)
• The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Elf, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• a pile of wrapping paper, tape, and cursing ribbons
• smoked salmon, crackers, wine and… yeah, really need to put on those stretch pants soon.

I wanted to share a little ditty with you guys that John and I recorded (home studio + talented musician, FTW!) earlier this month for The Fifth Annual Blogger Christmalhijrahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concert, hosted by Neil.

Just click the link below to listen to our version of Baby, It’s Cold Outside.  And whether it really is cold out for you or not, I hope this warms your heart and spreads a little of our Christmas Joy to you.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

From our family to you and yours, have a very Merry Christmas.

Happy Holidays, my friends!

being out of touch and kind of an emotional wussbag

You could call me asleep since the 90s a completely clueless old fart slightly out of the loop, and you’d be right.  I don’t stay current with all the hottest new music, the best new technology, or the latest fashion trends.  I notice some things, much I do not.

I feel like being online, especially on Twitter, does keep me up to date with things, but it still seems like I miss a lot.  I’m constantly having this conversation in email with my more observant, hip friends:

Me: Huh? Dur.

Hip Friend: What, Bitch? You didn’t know?

Me: Huh? *fart*

Hip Friend: Yeah, it’s been around for ages now. Where have you been?

Me: Huh? Dur.

Hip Friend: I have no idea why I even talk to you, loser.

So, yeah.  I am kind of a ditz in that “doesn’t know what the hell is going on” kind of way.  Lingo, for example, hits me from weird places.  I was on the phone with my husband last night, telling him about how Braden was sick and having a hard time sleeping.

John was between shows downtown.  He was driving to the second show, and after we’d chatted briefly, he told me, “I’ve gotta jump.” Uh, okay? It took me a minute, but I got it.  Still, I had a hard time not quipping, “There better be something just out of your reach, over your head, because if you’re on a bridge, I hope you rot in hell.  You could at least wait until we have something in savings before you kill yourself.  I’d have to get a job and everything, you selfish, insensitive bastard.”

Yeah. It’s a loving, gentle relationship.

But, “Jump?”  WTF?  Is this what the kids and trendy young adults are saying now when they want to get off the phone?  Yeah, I’m feeling a bit like I have cobwebs.  Not in my house, but ON ME.  And for the record, that jerk is older than I am but HE GETS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE REGULARLY.  AND DO STUFF.  WITH PEOPLE.

Ass.

Anyway, totally wandered away from the actual thing I wanted to talk about.

I’ve seen a commercial put together by a local news station several times now.  I am drawn into the commercial every time because the way it is shot is really cool (black and white, different speeds) and the song always pulls my attention.  I had no idea what it was, and kept wondering if this was a popular song I have just missed (would not surprise me).

I saw the commercial again tonight, hit YouTube and found it, and listened to the whole song while watching the video.

Really, actually listened to the words, felt them.

Got the deeper meaning, was moved.  A couple of tears slipped down my cheeks.

I kind of like it when something has the power to move me like that, with no warning.

What song(s) have the power to move you?

Also, I should probably check PMS Buddy… I totally haven’t kept track of my cycles anymore and this could be a sign that I need to be protecting my underwear soon.  Because The Red Crotch is, I’m pretty sure, not the latest fashion trend.

Right?

Because He Rocks

Just felt like throwing this picture on the proverbial table.

It’s an old favorite of mine. He rocks.

His Musical Soul

My son clearly enjoys all things musical. His appreciation ranges from making odd, alien-like and sometimes Clingon, or decidedly mechanical, sounds with his own mouth, to digging the actual music that mommy and daddy listen to.Braden is thrilled to beat on pots and pans, and likes to play his own little guitar. When he hears music (of any kind… the crappy little tunes that his push-button toys play as well as anything from Gwen Stefani to Guns N Roses) he sings and dances.

His version of singing is a beautiful art to behold. Sometimes he dreamily tilts his head back and coos and wails mournfully along with a tune. At other times, he emits a shrill screaming rant, rife with emotion. And there are moments that just beg him to perform his rythmic ‘shout and bark’ style of song. You can’t witness any of it without smiling. And, if you can, then you’re a butthole.

Dancing is also something that calls to Braden’s heart and soul. The child will “dance” even when seated, and to anything even remotely musical. A crappy version of “Camptown Races” had him swaying in his highchair this morning. Upon hearing “Wind it Up” by Gwen Stefani yesterday, he held onto the arm of my office chair and bounced up and down, then swayed, stomping his feet.

When John plays his guitar, Braden can’t decide whether he is more interested in slapping the strings along with Daddy, or dancing around in a circle singing, “AH-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, AH-AH-ahhhhhhhh!” Both are endearing and adorable.

Even the grinding, creaking sound of the cabinet doors in his bathroom enchants his little, musical soul.

He has a love affair with these cabinet doors, btw. He doesn’t even care what’s inside anymore. His greatest desire in that bathroom is to engage in endless exploration of Cabinet Door Audiology. Sometimes he is studious and serious, bordering on being Completely Zoned Out, while he’s in “cabinet mode.” Other times, he is silly and boisterous, giggling and squealing in delight at the wonders his friends (the doors) reveal to him. I wish I could capture some of that wonder in my life at my age. Wait, I have! In him.

My kid – he both ages me and keeps me young. God bless him, the cute little fart.