I wanted to start showing some pics I've been taking, make this more of a creative outlet in general instead of just writing....

Lemonade and Vodka

Tantalizing like lover's lips the light shines down upon bare skin lying against an emerald sea. Shimmering droplets slide hot down bronzed skin, trying to find a cool place to hide. Gentle laughter races with the breeze as the waves sing out praises to the sun. Stretch out and embrace the surroundings glittering under a pale blue veil. The passion of summer is coming to an end, grasp the lingering brilliance for tomorrow it may be gone.

Half Truths

The flickering flame caught my attention as I watched out the window into the yellow hall across the street. The flame glowed orange within a hot red orb, dancing to the beat of the rain as it poured onto the souls down below. I whispered "I'm sorry" even though I knew you wouldn't hear me, and then tried out a smile to hide the truth. Your eyes were concerned and I couldn't take it so I stared out the window again. I knew you wanted to ask and I'll thank you now for not. Sometimes I feel you still know me so well, but other times I wonder if you ever knew me at all. It doesn't matter now anyway, does it? No. no. no.

Did you remember the significance of the day? Did you know why tears had sprung up in that briefest of moments? I thought perhaps you had but then again maybe it was just me and I should probably forget about such things. But as we sat in the familiar darkened room I couldn't help but to remember and I had to turn away to the rain once more.

I wonder if you realize and I know time can go by so fast but this is all fixed into my mind so clear and I wish it would just wash away but something just clings on and I try to figure it all out but I can't on my own and I'm afraid to ask so I sit rambling to myself and end up back with the same wonderings ...

And I'm so tired of writing sad little love songs.

The City Sleeps

Since seeing a trailer for Quiet City a few months back, I'd been eagerly awaiting the chance to watch it. Last night was my chance. This really is a simple story by Aaron Katz, with a simple backdrop and just a hint of a soundtrack. Jamie (Erin Fisher) comes to New York to meet up with a friend who never shows and ends up meeting Charlie (Cris Lankenau), who tries to help her find her friend. They end up spending the next 24 hours together, hanging out and getting to know each other.

Part of the reason I loved this movie so much was because the characters were so ... real. I could relate with what they were doing, saying, feeling. Jamie was the kind of girl I could be friends with. I loved her hair and wanted to ask where she got her cute red shoes. Things she would giggle about were things I have giggled about, I understood her looks she gave to Charlie. And Charlie reminded me so much of an ex-boyfriend, it made me wish for the simplicity of someone in a hooded sweatshirt and holey jeans. Charlie is the guy you glance over at a party but once you start to talk to him a little bit of you falls in love.

The scenery is beautiful. A lot of still shots of trees and buildings are shown throughout. There are many shots of just a hand, close up of someones eye, a book in the corner. The film was actually full of the kinds of photos I like to take. More than once I thought "I would love to have that scene on my wall".

Basically, this was an easy movie to enjoy. I loved the story, I loved the characters and when the credits began to roll, I had a smile on my face.

Afternoon Daydreams

Lets just go. Get out of this grey city where everyone knows our stories. Pack up your bags and we'll go, drive south to the coast where the sand is soft and the ocean sings lullabies to the stars up in the sky. We'll take photos of buildings and people standing against cars broke down on the highway. I'll find the perfect light to capture your perfect smile and you'll tell me to stop distracting you as you drive. Looking out the dirtied window I'll pretend to pout as I watch abandoned fields fly by. You'll turn up our favorite song and we'll sing to passersby and they will smile, wishing to be on our adventure. The night will turn cold and I will blow warm breath onto the glass and draw hearts and stars. You'll decide to stop for the evening in a gas station parking lot where there will be dimmed street lights shining in our direction. We'll sleep uneasy dreams and wake exhausted in the day.

I will take over the wheel as you gaze out into the world. You'll take photos of yourself against the ever changing backdrop we pass. I'll tell you my new favorite joke and you'll roll your eyes as I laugh hysterically. The day will turn warmer the further south we ride and we'll lean our arms outside as the sun burns our skin to an amber brown. I'll gaze up into the sky and wish to be a bird, able to fly so free and unafraid. We will take a wrong turn and discover an old rusted barn. I'll insist on exploring and you'll insist we turn right back around but as usual I will win. Behind the barn will be a flower garden, somehow maintained though the rest has gone to pieces. I pluck an orange bloom and place it behind my ear. We will take a photo of us leaning against the rusted red wall. You'll see something inside and we will make our way in, giggling nervously. We will have discovered a secret hideaway, a mattress covered in red sheets and a bouquet of daisies lying upon the pillows. A photograph of young lovers smiling will sit on a pile of books. You'll look at me and I will nod and we will leave quiet and calm. We take the road back to our destination, both thinking about our own stories hidden away. If only they could be as beautiful.

Finally the coast will appear and we will cry out joyfully. It will be just dusk, when the sun begins to make it's way to bed and the fireflies begin their dance. We will stroll barefoot down to the water and feel the blue water soak us between the toes. I'll lie down on the warm sand and smile into the setting sun. You'll take a place beside me and take our photo once more. We'll close our eyes and fall asleep to the ocean's lullaby and wonder if anything had ever been so perfect.

I Heart Tegan and Sara

A few years back Tegan and Sara played at Bumbershoot to promote their album "So Jealous". I loved their song "Walking With a Ghost", however chose to see whoever the headlining band was that night at the main stage. Who was that, you ask? I have no recollection. I do know that when it was over I headed over to the small stage Tegan and Sara were playing and caught a couple of songs. They sounded excellent and I wished I had come earlier to hear more. (Though I'm sure whoever it was that I saw instead was great as well).

Jump forward three years and I have become obsessed with these dark haired twins of the North. I purchased their latest album "The Con" when I couldn't get "Back in Your Head" out of mine. I listened to the album constantly. To be honest, I was going through a bit of a hard time and heartache and most of the songs hit home, saying things I wished I could, but was too afraid to do so. And so instead I listened and sang my ache away.

Jump to last Wednesday when the girls made their first stop on their North American tour right here in B'ham. They played at Western's Viking Union and when I arrived the lights were dimmed and a crowd was eagerly waiting. Tegan and Sara took the stage and the show began with the beginning strums of "Knife Going In". They played a good mix of "So Jealous" and "The Con", playing such favorites as "Where Does the Good Go", "Speak Slow", "The Con", "I know, I know, I know" and one of my personal faves, "Dark Come Soon". Between songs the girls joked and bantered at each other and the crowd, making the show seem more like friends hanging out in someones basement. The show took a serious sentimental turn as Tegan (I think, honestly I can't tell the girls apart, I apologize) dedicated their song "Nineteen" to a friend of theirs who had passed away from cancer. The girls were selling limited edition demos of "The Con", with proceeds going to a fund in their friend's name. Of course I bought one, and I love it. Same songs, of course, but with more of a "playing at home instead of a studio" feel to it. If you happen to catch them along the rest of the tour, make sure and pick one up. It's a limited edition, which is always fun to have, and is for a good cause. You can't go wrong!

I had been looking forward to this show for weeks and definitely was not disappointed. I'm still obsessed with listening to the albums and cannot wait for another visit from these hilarious talented twins. If you get a chance to see Tegan and Sara live, do it. You won't regret it, I promise.