Music...

Got to shoot the Gym Class Heroes concert here a few weeks ago, which was interesting. It was my first time with a legit press pass, which I suppose made me feel special or something, sitting in the pit right in front of the stage and all. Definitely a good experience.









As usual, I got some great use out of the good ol' 50mm. I love that lens.

Pleasantly Exciting

I had the privilege of watching a free show of Ernie Watts Jazz Quartet this past Friday. Just like when I saw them at the Jazz Bakery, I was taken on an emotional roller coaster, pulled through the highs and lows of sax solos, cedar flutes, and one sick bassist.


Check it out.


What else has been going on? A day trip to L.A., including a stop at Phillipe's for some lemonade and a Danish.


Quite refreshing.


Next, lunch at Cafe Angelino over by the Beverly Center for a lunch filled with fresh ingredients, friendly service, and delicious bread.

Caprisi salad


And Margherita Pizza with Prosciutto


To top things off... a celebration of Fall!

Pumpkinbread cupcakes baked by Hannah...


A splattering of pumpkin guts


and the finished products.


Absolutely lovely.

Inspired, perhaps?

Just got back from the 2009 SCNF Naginata Seminar and whatnot. Didn't do as well in the taikai as I would've hoped, but at least I got my nidan.

Regardless of my physical performance, at least I took some pretty pictures. Definitely some of my favorite naginata pictures that I've taken.

These ugly things have protected my hands and wrists for years. They've been good to me.


I had an obsession with taking this style of shot over the weekend. Strange.


Soooo this is Yamauchi-sensei. She's older and smaller than me, but still manages to beat pretty much everyone in the country, if not most of the world. Kinda like Yoda.

"You are nidan now! Do not (insert bad habit here)!"

I greatly enjoy shooting wide open.


My teacher and mentor, Kevin Saxton. Bamf.

"I'm training you hard because the rest of the world won't be easy"

And my favorite picture of the weekend. Simple and clean.


Dunno if this will suit anyone's fancy, but I sure enjoyed taking these pictures.

Hm

Part of me wants to write some emo poem here, but then it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy about how teens manifest their angst and whatnot in blogs that no one reads.

I will say, however, that I am eating a toblerone and enjoying myself.

That is all.

Getting antsy

So I'm sitting here in my nice little college dorm, and I'm a little bit annoyed with the fact that I'm in a plain old chair at my plain old desk.

I want to go somewhere, far, far away. I want to live a life where I'm free to go where I choose, when I choose. But in a sense, I already do. If I truly wanted to, I could. But no... I'm too intent on getting my college degree, doing this and that in the comfort of my liberal arts college bubble. I lack the drive to leave behind these comforts to seek out adventure and see a side of the world that I could only read of in books.

But I'm stuck with my classes, my damned comfort zone, and my inability to step out. So for now, I only have my pictures to hold me off.


I'll get out of here soon enough.