My Brother

Hello folks.

I am winding down after spending the weekend with my brother and other family members at various gatherings. I have only one brother and his name is officially Andrew, though I have always referred to him as Poochie since the age of three. This visit was the first time we have hung out alone since he has been single and it was very nice for us to sit together and just chat about life. We do get to spend time together however never really alone and this weekend it was nice to just be with my brother! I am pleased he has learned he can take the Amtrak down from Oakland to visit me instead of making excuses. He arrived on Friday via subway when I got off work and Monk and I took him out to some beautiful parts of Downtown LA.


Biltmore Hotel launch pad!


Young Lovers in Love


Poochie on the go!

We landed at La Cita where it was ska punk night and he and Monk danced the entire night, a glimpse of CVI to come! Ole!


Lake Piru

On Sunday he and I went up to Lake Piru, you know for old time sake. I hadn't been there since I lost Sadie and it was sad at first, as she was my camping partner, however once we settled in it was nice. Much talk about Mocha, Sadie, and life in general. Lake Piru is the closest place to my house where one can fish and camp and actually feel out of the city. It was hot, but not too hot and we actually ended up sleeping in the sleeping bags at night. I had the delight of watching Poochie perform a 2 hour girl talk dance party for me while I sat under the stars and enjoyed the fire. I hadn't opened up the tent bag since amy and I used it last summer, last stop Grand Canyon, and amy if you read this I'll have you know I couldn't get the tent back in the bag and neither could poochie- help! I have to camp more.



We awoke at 6am to the sound of birds and squirrels fighting over what pringles we left behind the night prior and headed down to AM/PM for hot coffee before fishing.

As we turned the corner on the way down the hill into the little city we spotted a family of deer, I mean entire extended family- like twenty of them, just eating on the hillside. It was beautiful.
I have neither spoken or written about it until now.


Big Fish!



All I can say it was a very nice weekend and a much needed break. I still have no news on the offer for our house and even if our offer is accepted or declined it would be nice to know. As I sit here typing this from me moms poochie and dad are at an angel game and we are law and ordering it. It is just nice to just spend time with poochie and my family, it makes everything feel less stressful.

I like you Poochie, yes I do. To 28!

Bitter Sweet Candy and the glamour shot project

Every once once and a while I get to work with someone who gives me purpose and sort of reminds me why I started the Chubby Pigeon project. I had the pleasure of working with 'Bitter Sweet Candy' this week and the first reason I wanted to work with her was in our phone conversations she said 'well what if I show up and you think I am too fat and don't want to shoot me?'; immediately I scheduled her. Sometimes I like to think of myself as a fat glamour shots. You remember Glamour Shots- that store located in America's malls that would to sex up housewives in the 80's to give their husbands a picture in order to remind them why they were married. Who knows, it's just what I think sometimes. I have gotten several emails from girls, ladies, women-however one is defined- where they begin their email in this way - I may be too fat to photograph for your project but I would like to order a hat.
Wha wha what?



AS uncomfortable as she may have been behind the lights and camera I hope I gave her some pictures of herself that will assist in looking at herself in a new light. She appeared apprehensive, fearful, and was so tight in her body language when I positioned her that I knew she felt out of place. However I feel what I captured was stunning.



She has her own style and flare, and I absolutely adored her face. She didn't smile for any photographs, save the ones I took when she was talking to her boyfriend who was off camera trying to relax her and make her laugh. I was comforted to know she has someone in her life who adores her and treats her well.


I love love this picture because I feel I captured a bold and confident woman who is secure in her thoughts and in who she is.

We sat and chatted after the shoot and I learned many reasons why she doesn't smile much. As an abused child bouncing in and out of foster care and ending up in a violent marriage that was dangerous for her to leave, life has not been just or kind to this person. We discussed her life and I felt honored that she felt comfortable enough to come and work with me.

One of my best shoots yet.

Wieners!!!!!!!

Last night my mom dad monk and I went to Los Alamitos race track for the annual wiener dog races. Thanks amy for the recommendation!!! Although it started off crazy crowded, hot, and a bit to overwhelming for me, after the sun set we settled in and enjoyed beer and hot dogs until the last race. Everyone bet, loved, laughed, and cried! I cleared $27 and even monk who never bets enjoyed a $40 total take home!!

A must if you have never been! To see the grace and beauty of a wiener when the trumpet sounds is truly a sight to behold! Run forward, run backward, stand still, or hump the dog next to you- it truly is pure genius!

yay!

Breathe

Had to get out, even if just for one day. Monk and I went out to the Temecula Wineries on Sunday and just chilled, like a bottle of nice port pleasantly cooling in the sun. We stayed at Harrah's Rincon. I don't know just why they keep sending me free offers as I don't gamble there. In fact this time I only spent the free $35 in slot play; otherwise we sipped wine throughout the valley floor and chilled poolside to their Reggae Sunday fest. It was nice to get out and not think about work or home buying and just do nothing.



I like wine, sweet wine, high alcohol content wine, and there was plenty of it! :) Mixed with other delicious goodies.



Sometimes it is nice to just do nothing.

Uncork the Champagne!

'I'd like a hat please', a simple request written to me when this nice young lady visited my site. Meet Ms. Ruby Champagne, a burlesque performer in the Los Angeles area. Small and petite in size, yet with a bubbly personality, Ms Ruby and I met this week for photos. As it turns out she and I went to competing Catholic Schools; she Rosary and I St Josephs and attended at the same time. Small world huh? Welcome Ms. Champagne!