...and the internet is god-awful slow. I might as well just quit cold turkey. Right now. So much for updating with photos - I think it just took 15 minutes to load my blog site.
I'm talking AOL-dial-up-in-high-school slow here.
And...not cheap. To quote my dad, "You're expensive." No Dad - my habits are expensive. At least it's not hard drugs.
On the other hand, I saw the most gorgeous beautiful absolutely AMAZING sunset tonight. At about 9:30PM. Made me glad I carted the tripod all the way up here. I just hope I did it justice. I'm talking red ball of a sun descending into mountains that were every varying shade of blue, with the ocean in the foreground. And clouds overhead.
Okay, back to exploring...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Seattle: Day Two, Part Four - Pike Street Market, etc.
Photos: Seattle
My parents had been at Pike Street Market the day before, but my mom was really keen on me seeing it so we went back to grab some food for lunch. I was super hungry, so first we ended up at Pike Pub, where I ordered a double stout and my mom was all, "That's really dark and bitter!" I was all, "I know, I love porters and stouts." Favorite beer ever: Coopers Extra Stout. Mmmm, Australia.
Anyway, after that we headed into the market. And let me just say that while most of my neuroses are fairly mild, I have a pretty strong case of agoraphobia. I mean, I have a Costco card, but can usually only bring myself to get gas there. When shopping for camping trips, I pretty much have to bring someone else along to talk me down and make sure I don't leave after only getting one or two items.
I can deal with crowds at concerts, I think because people aren't usually moving too much, but random people constantly brushing past me? And randomly stopping right in front of me? And lazily meandering every which way? Makes me a bit tweaky. We walked through a block or two of it because my mom wanted an apron or something, and by the end of that, I was craving a cigarette. And I don't smoke. I never HAVE smoked. I don't know how to explain that one.
So, we lit out of there after that and headed back to the hotel. There was a microbrewery tasting thing going on at the convention center in the late afternoon, so we headed over to that, and then back to the hotel. I finished my steak from Morton's for dinner while my parents took a nap.
This is my second-favorite photo from yesterday.
I met up with Frank, who I've known since middle school and who is now an optometry student in Portland. He managed to secure me a wristband for entry into Trinity, a club down in Pioneer Square. So we headed there and had a couple of drinks and caught up a bit. At first we thought we hadn't seen each other in about 8 years, but then when I was telling him how excited I got when I saw the Jimmy John's in Seattle, we both remembered that I had met up with him in Pittsburgh once. I was in town for St. Patty's Day, and before I left, I met up with him for lunch. At Jimmy John's. Damn, that place has a bigger hold on my life than I thought.
The nightclub was okay. Not the type of place I'd normally go out to (give me a dive bar any day), but they had a bunch of rooms that were all decorated differently. My first thought (of course), was that it would be a rad place to take portraits. Oh well.
The shuttle bus back to the convention center left at 10:30PM, so we hopped on that since it was getting a bit sweaty and gross in the club. We tried to find a bar near our respective hotels, but failed. So I ended up back at my hotel, where my parents were STILL asleep.
My parents had been at Pike Street Market the day before, but my mom was really keen on me seeing it so we went back to grab some food for lunch. I was super hungry, so first we ended up at Pike Pub, where I ordered a double stout and my mom was all, "That's really dark and bitter!" I was all, "I know, I love porters and stouts." Favorite beer ever: Coopers Extra Stout. Mmmm, Australia.
Anyway, after that we headed into the market. And let me just say that while most of my neuroses are fairly mild, I have a pretty strong case of agoraphobia. I mean, I have a Costco card, but can usually only bring myself to get gas there. When shopping for camping trips, I pretty much have to bring someone else along to talk me down and make sure I don't leave after only getting one or two items.
I can deal with crowds at concerts, I think because people aren't usually moving too much, but random people constantly brushing past me? And randomly stopping right in front of me? And lazily meandering every which way? Makes me a bit tweaky. We walked through a block or two of it because my mom wanted an apron or something, and by the end of that, I was craving a cigarette. And I don't smoke. I never HAVE smoked. I don't know how to explain that one.
So, we lit out of there after that and headed back to the hotel. There was a microbrewery tasting thing going on at the convention center in the late afternoon, so we headed over to that, and then back to the hotel. I finished my steak from Morton's for dinner while my parents took a nap.
This is my second-favorite photo from yesterday.
I met up with Frank, who I've known since middle school and who is now an optometry student in Portland. He managed to secure me a wristband for entry into Trinity, a club down in Pioneer Square. So we headed there and had a couple of drinks and caught up a bit. At first we thought we hadn't seen each other in about 8 years, but then when I was telling him how excited I got when I saw the Jimmy John's in Seattle, we both remembered that I had met up with him in Pittsburgh once. I was in town for St. Patty's Day, and before I left, I met up with him for lunch. At Jimmy John's. Damn, that place has a bigger hold on my life than I thought.
The nightclub was okay. Not the type of place I'd normally go out to (give me a dive bar any day), but they had a bunch of rooms that were all decorated differently. My first thought (of course), was that it would be a rad place to take portraits. Oh well.
The shuttle bus back to the convention center left at 10:30PM, so we hopped on that since it was getting a bit sweaty and gross in the club. We tried to find a bar near our respective hotels, but failed. So I ended up back at my hotel, where my parents were STILL asleep.
Seattle: Day Two, Part Three - Smith Tower
Photos: Seattle
Michael also tipped me off to the fact that Smith Tower was right across from where the Underground Tour ended, and that we could go up to the 35th floor and get an awesome view of the city.
The lobby reminded me of an old East Coast building, maybe in NYC...
Complete with an old school elevator with a sliding cage door and operator. You could see into each floor as you passed through it.
The view from the top was incredible.
Close-up of the Space Needle.
Qwest Field.
Mt. Ranier floating in the distance.
Michael also tipped me off to the fact that Smith Tower was right across from where the Underground Tour ended, and that we could go up to the 35th floor and get an awesome view of the city.
The lobby reminded me of an old East Coast building, maybe in NYC...
Complete with an old school elevator with a sliding cage door and operator. You could see into each floor as you passed through it.
The view from the top was incredible.
Close-up of the Space Needle.
Qwest Field.
Mt. Ranier floating in the distance.
After this, my dad went back to the convention center, and my mom and I continued to Pike Street Market...
Seattle: Day Two, Part Two - Underground Tour
Photos: Seattle
Thanks to Micheal for recommending this tour to me - otherwise, my parents were planning on going on it before I got into town. I didn't expect it to have so many photo opportunities, but damn. I could have taken photos for DAYS under those 3 blocks. It was all dirt and grime and cobwebs, and oh, the DEBRIS. And TEXTURE. Amazing.
If it weren't for all the other people on the tour, I would have been doing my best Little Mermaid impression: "Look at this stuff/Isn't it neat?" Shit, now that song's stuck in my head...
Skylights in the sidewalk
There were also stories about "seamstresses" and the Yukon goldrush, and explanations as to why there even IS an underground to Pioneer Square, but you can find all that out for yourself.
On a side note, I'm pretty sure most of the people on the tour were looking at me wondering, "What the heck is she taking a photo of?" But I love the detail shots. And my 50mm lens...
I also managed to get a few shots of the above-ground when we were switching between the 3 underground blocks. I'm pretty pleased with them as well.
Thanks to Micheal for recommending this tour to me - otherwise, my parents were planning on going on it before I got into town. I didn't expect it to have so many photo opportunities, but damn. I could have taken photos for DAYS under those 3 blocks. It was all dirt and grime and cobwebs, and oh, the DEBRIS. And TEXTURE. Amazing.
If it weren't for all the other people on the tour, I would have been doing my best Little Mermaid impression: "Look at this stuff/Isn't it neat?" Shit, now that song's stuck in my head...
Skylights in the sidewalk
There were also stories about "seamstresses" and the Yukon goldrush, and explanations as to why there even IS an underground to Pioneer Square, but you can find all that out for yourself.
On a side note, I'm pretty sure most of the people on the tour were looking at me wondering, "What the heck is she taking a photo of?" But I love the detail shots. And my 50mm lens...
I also managed to get a few shots of the above-ground when we were switching between the 3 underground blocks. I'm pretty pleased with them as well.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Seattle: Day Two, Part One - Walk to Pioneer Square
Photos: Seattle
I took so many photos yesterday that I'm breaking up the post into three parts. In the morning, we headed over to Pioneer Square around 9AM. Did I mention that both my parents were awake (and, therefore, so was I) by 6AM. Not so cool.
The weather in Seattle the last two days has been very atypical - warm and sunny. I guess I brought it with me from San Diego? At any rate, I'm not complaining.
The walk to Pioneer Square went basically like this: walk with parents, see something I wanted to take a photo of, stop and take the photo, then run to catch up with the parents. It worked out pretty well. I hate making people stop and wait while I take a photo - I'd rather just catch up to them when I'm done.
Convention Center
Buildings like this are just made for black and white shots.
You have no idea how excited I was when I saw this sign. I still get 3AM drunk cravings for their fresh-baked bread. Slim #1 baby, with an extra loaf of bread. And maybe a pickle. Too bad it's closed on weekends and I'll probably leave town without getting my fix.
Blurry, but I like it anyway.
This was in the bar where we met for the Underground Tour. The first candidate for the "366 Days..." slot.
Cultivating a minor obsession with light fixtures, here.
(Kendra - I just joined the "Fixture Fixation" Flickr group. Thanks for the heads up!)
I took so many photos yesterday that I'm breaking up the post into three parts. In the morning, we headed over to Pioneer Square around 9AM. Did I mention that both my parents were awake (and, therefore, so was I) by 6AM. Not so cool.
The weather in Seattle the last two days has been very atypical - warm and sunny. I guess I brought it with me from San Diego? At any rate, I'm not complaining.
The walk to Pioneer Square went basically like this: walk with parents, see something I wanted to take a photo of, stop and take the photo, then run to catch up with the parents. It worked out pretty well. I hate making people stop and wait while I take a photo - I'd rather just catch up to them when I'm done.
Convention Center
Buildings like this are just made for black and white shots.
You have no idea how excited I was when I saw this sign. I still get 3AM drunk cravings for their fresh-baked bread. Slim #1 baby, with an extra loaf of bread. And maybe a pickle. Too bad it's closed on weekends and I'll probably leave town without getting my fix.
Blurry, but I like it anyway.
This was in the bar where we met for the Underground Tour. The first candidate for the "366 Days..." slot.
Cultivating a minor obsession with light fixtures, here.
(Kendra - I just joined the "Fixture Fixation" Flickr group. Thanks for the heads up!)
More to come...
366 Days, 366 Photos: 06/27/2008
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Yesterday was one of those days where I felt so visually stimulated by everything I was seeing. There are at least 5 photos I took that were all in the running for my "366 Days..." photo, but this one won because a) I saw it the second I stepped into the hotel lobby on Thursday; and b) it makes me feel like I'm falling upwards. I don't know exactly what that means, but I definitely like it.
Yesterday was one of those days where I felt so visually stimulated by everything I was seeing. There are at least 5 photos I took that were all in the running for my "366 Days..." photo, but this one won because a) I saw it the second I stepped into the hotel lobby on Thursday; and b) it makes me feel like I'm falling upwards. I don't know exactly what that means, but I definitely like it.
Seattle: Day One
Photos: Seattle
I'd been looking forward to this trip for a really long time, but even so, leaving on Wednesday was a bit bittersweet. I think I always get that way before long trips - thinking about all the stuff I'm going to miss and how I won't see my friends for several weeks. This time was a little worse than most, though.
D dropped me off at the airport - and by the way, ladies, he's single and the type of guy who will carry ALL your luggage to the car for you - at about 9:30AM. I waltzed up to the counter, dropped off my one checked bag, and picked up my boarding pass. Security was fairly easy as well, although they were concerned with all the stuff I had in my backpack (external hard drive, Angela's Nintendo DS, a crapload of 120 film). It all checked out though, and I was at the gate right as the passengers were starting to board.
I got settled in my window seat, and takeoff was a breeze. Broke out the DS and started playing Final Fantasy III - and oh man, I had forgotten how addictive those games were. For the rest of the flight, that was all I did. It really made the 2.5 hour flight go by quickly. And on a side note, it's been a really long time since I've had a non-stop flight ANYWHERE. It's hard to get one going the whole way across country, which is usually where I'm headed. So much less stress this way.
Looking out the window while landing, I could tell I was going to love Seattle. It looked like home. But with much more spectacular mountains in the distance. Retrieving my luggage was a cakewalk, as was finding the shuttle to get to the hotel. On the way to the hotel, the driver made a very astute observation about East Coasters - we like to know alternate routes to get EVERYWHERE. It's true, at least for me.
I was at the hotel within an hour of stepping off the plane, but my parents were still at the Pike Street Market. So I chilled for awhile and ate one of the Tastykakes my parents had brought out from PA (they brought a box of the peanut butter ones - yum!). They finally came back, we hung out for awhile, took a quick nap, then headed to the convention center for some wine tasting. Where we all got pretty drunk. Ran into two couples who are friends with my parents. Lost the first couple (they were nice, but not all that interesting) and ended up going to Morton's for dinner with the other couple. Who are awesome. The wife wanted to set me up with her son after I started talking about music and photography (I guess he's a graphic designer?), but he's already engaged - to someone else she introduced him to. We all got a laugh out of that.
I haven't eaten food that good or that rich in a long time. Between that and the wine, I was DONE after dinner. I was supposed to meet up with my friend Frank afterwards, but ended up just going back to the hotel and falling asleep on the couch. Which is good, because the next day was pretty damn busy...
I'd been looking forward to this trip for a really long time, but even so, leaving on Wednesday was a bit bittersweet. I think I always get that way before long trips - thinking about all the stuff I'm going to miss and how I won't see my friends for several weeks. This time was a little worse than most, though.
D dropped me off at the airport - and by the way, ladies, he's single and the type of guy who will carry ALL your luggage to the car for you - at about 9:30AM. I waltzed up to the counter, dropped off my one checked bag, and picked up my boarding pass. Security was fairly easy as well, although they were concerned with all the stuff I had in my backpack (external hard drive, Angela's Nintendo DS, a crapload of 120 film). It all checked out though, and I was at the gate right as the passengers were starting to board.
I got settled in my window seat, and takeoff was a breeze. Broke out the DS and started playing Final Fantasy III - and oh man, I had forgotten how addictive those games were. For the rest of the flight, that was all I did. It really made the 2.5 hour flight go by quickly. And on a side note, it's been a really long time since I've had a non-stop flight ANYWHERE. It's hard to get one going the whole way across country, which is usually where I'm headed. So much less stress this way.
Looking out the window while landing, I could tell I was going to love Seattle. It looked like home. But with much more spectacular mountains in the distance. Retrieving my luggage was a cakewalk, as was finding the shuttle to get to the hotel. On the way to the hotel, the driver made a very astute observation about East Coasters - we like to know alternate routes to get EVERYWHERE. It's true, at least for me.
I was at the hotel within an hour of stepping off the plane, but my parents were still at the Pike Street Market. So I chilled for awhile and ate one of the Tastykakes my parents had brought out from PA (they brought a box of the peanut butter ones - yum!). They finally came back, we hung out for awhile, took a quick nap, then headed to the convention center for some wine tasting. Where we all got pretty drunk. Ran into two couples who are friends with my parents. Lost the first couple (they were nice, but not all that interesting) and ended up going to Morton's for dinner with the other couple. Who are awesome. The wife wanted to set me up with her son after I started talking about music and photography (I guess he's a graphic designer?), but he's already engaged - to someone else she introduced him to. We all got a laugh out of that.
I haven't eaten food that good or that rich in a long time. Between that and the wine, I was DONE after dinner. I was supposed to meet up with my friend Frank afterwards, but ended up just going back to the hotel and falling asleep on the couch. Which is good, because the next day was pretty damn busy...
366 Days, 366 Photos: 06/26/2008
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I've been a little obsessed with lights and fixtures these days. These are the lights in the main exhibit hall of the Seattle Convention Center. I dig the lens flare. And yes, this is a color photo, not another black and white...
I've been a little obsessed with lights and fixtures these days. These are the lights in the main exhibit hall of the Seattle Convention Center. I dig the lens flare. And yes, this is a color photo, not another black and white...
Friday, June 27, 2008
366 Days, 366 Photos: 06/25/2008
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I wasn't trying too hard on Wednesday. I was more concerned with packing my shit and having dinner. Dinner with a guy that I like. Who will have moved out of town by the time I get back from Alaska. Because I'm smart like that.
Dammit.
I wasn't trying too hard on Wednesday. I was more concerned with packing my shit and having dinner. Dinner with a guy that I like. Who will have moved out of town by the time I get back from Alaska. Because I'm smart like that.
Dammit.
366 Days, 366 Photos: 06/24/2008
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Apparently, 13 rolls of 120 film warrant a "Fra-Gee-Lay" sticker on the package. Who knew?
I love Freestyle Photo because you can realize on Sunday that you don't have any 100 ISO black and white film for your Holga, order some film on Monday, and have it by Tuesday. Other people will say that I should just realize that I HAVE A DIGITAL SLR and thus no need to order film. Whatever. I LIKE film. It makes me happy.
Apparently, 13 rolls of 120 film warrant a "Fra-Gee-Lay" sticker on the package. Who knew?
I love Freestyle Photo because you can realize on Sunday that you don't have any 100 ISO black and white film for your Holga, order some film on Monday, and have it by Tuesday. Other people will say that I should just realize that I HAVE A DIGITAL SLR and thus no need to order film. Whatever. I LIKE film. It makes me happy.
Show Review: Frightened Rabbit, Austin James Band @ Casbah, 06/23/2008
Photos: Frightened Rabbit, Austin James Band @ Casbah
Monday night was a big night for me. The last show Frightened Rabbit played in town was one of my favorites of last year, and their new album is definitely one of my favorites of this year.
The Austin James Band invited me out to the show (even though I was planning on going anyway), so I headed down there early to make sure to catch their opening set. I had actually never heard of them before, but was pleasantly surprised.
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
My first thought was "Hey, this sounds like carnival music," followed closely by "They'd be really good on a bill with The Burning of Rome." Then they started in with the three-part harmonies, and the obvious comparison became Queen. Which I am more than okay with. Their set was really enjoyable, and a great warm-up for Frightened Rabbit.
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Monday night was a big night for me. The last show Frightened Rabbit played in town was one of my favorites of last year, and their new album is definitely one of my favorites of this year.
The Austin James Band invited me out to the show (even though I was planning on going anyway), so I headed down there early to make sure to catch their opening set. I had actually never heard of them before, but was pleasantly surprised.
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
My first thought was "Hey, this sounds like carnival music," followed closely by "They'd be really good on a bill with The Burning of Rome." Then they started in with the three-part harmonies, and the obvious comparison became Queen. Which I am more than okay with. Their set was really enjoyable, and a great warm-up for Frightened Rabbit.
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Austin James Band @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Did I mention that I made P drive to this show? I sent him a text at about 10:30AM telling him that he had to drive because I felt like drinking. He replied with "Why what happened?" and I said, "Nothing. It's Monday." It was just one of those days. By the time Frightened Rabbit took the stage, I was pleasantly buzzed, but even stone cold sober this set would have been amazing.
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Maybe it was because I was feeling angsty anyway, maybe it was the Scottish accents, I dunno. The most obvious answer is that the music is just that good. Their drummer is brilliant (although this time around he didn't get to multitask by playing harmonica while drumming), and the lyrics do an amazing job of conveying angst and longing without getting too Dashboard Confessional on you. I was most definitely feeling it.
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
They stuck with mostly songs off their new album, only verging into The Greys territory with their set-closer. I really wish they had been the headlining band, for both their sake and the sake of Oxford Collapse. Following a band that tightly knit and intense must be a challenge.
"This is the longest kiss goodnight." Yeah, I've had a few of those in my time...
I'd like to say that Oxford Collapse lived up to that challenge, but by that point I was about 5 drinks in and DONE. I closed out my tab, made an ass of myself to some poor guy at the bar who knew about my blog, and then P and I went in search of "late night foob." (Someone can't spell when they text message, and it wasn't me!) We ended up at Denny's. I love me some French toast when I've been drinking, but man - Denny's is just not a smart choice. I woke up the next morning feeling like there was a brick in my stomach - but remarkably, not hungover in the least. So I guess it was good for something...
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Maybe it was because I was feeling angsty anyway, maybe it was the Scottish accents, I dunno. The most obvious answer is that the music is just that good. Their drummer is brilliant (although this time around he didn't get to multitask by playing harmonica while drumming), and the lyrics do an amazing job of conveying angst and longing without getting too Dashboard Confessional on you. I was most definitely feeling it.
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
They stuck with mostly songs off their new album, only verging into The Greys territory with their set-closer. I really wish they had been the headlining band, for both their sake and the sake of Oxford Collapse. Following a band that tightly knit and intense must be a challenge.
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos
Here's a video of them performing "Fast Blood," just to prove my point (the jerkiness at the being is due to me putting the lens cap on my SLR and then picking up my drink with my left hand):
"This is the longest kiss goodnight." Yeah, I've had a few of those in my time...
I'd like to say that Oxford Collapse lived up to that challenge, but by that point I was about 5 drinks in and DONE. I closed out my tab, made an ass of myself to some poor guy at the bar who knew about my blog, and then P and I went in search of "late night foob." (Someone can't spell when they text message, and it wasn't me!) We ended up at Denny's. I love me some French toast when I've been drinking, but man - Denny's is just not a smart choice. I woke up the next morning feeling like there was a brick in my stomach - but remarkably, not hungover in the least. So I guess it was good for something...
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