To Burning Man!

I am going!

The grand nostalgia of old photographs

Atlantic Beach, FL (1954) and Coney Island Amusement Park, Brooklyn, NY(1944)

-photos by Life

Last day in Kauai

On my last full day in Kauai my new found CouchSurfer friends took me to the not so secret Secrets Beach. It was beautiful! We roamed over volcanic rocks, swam at a secluded spot, rinsed in a water fall, let our sarongs dance in the wind and laid on the beach. Afterwards we ate marvelous sushi in Hanalei! All in all such a lovely day and the exclamation mark to my Kauai experience.

Thank you for the photos Mark!

What is success? This is fantastic!

Day 11- Kauai!

We are on the Island of Kauai staying on Poipu beach!

The house is on the beach and at this time of the year its the rougher side of the island so the waves are crashing. Kauai is smaller and quainter which is nice change from the traffic, people and military personnel of Oahu.

Photos soon! xx

PS. Oh by the way, I've placed all my flights on hold (airlines use the word 'cancelled' but that's a little too scary for me) and I'm deferring my course at RMIT for a year. The new plan: Kauai, Oahu, LA, Santa Rosa, possibly a CS Road Trip to Portland and then onto Echo for the grape harvest, to live on a river and slow down. Back in Oz in Oct/Nov to get a job and settle...lol, yeah, I want to settle down, in a minute...=) 

Day 8: North Shore drive

A rock with a hole with a rock...when you're the photographer you're never in the photos so you have to take what you can get!

Who loves shrimp!?! What about monster shrimp! 

This is the shrimp's revenge perhaps? Patrick and I shared fresh Butter Garlic ship and they were so yummy! 

The day: Up, pancakes made by Danny (with pineapple, coconut syrup and fresh grated coconut procured by Jason), to the 'secret/local' beach to snorkel with turtles (you touch them, its a $5,000USD fine, they touch you...what I ask? I was touched, several times!), pit stop at the mansion, to Waimea Bay (which I have affectionately named 'the bath tub' because the sand slopes into the water and then the bottom is flat and perfect) for swimming. After that we went home, washed the salt off and Jan, Pat and I headed off to drive around the North and East coasts of the island. The pali or cliffs were beautiful, green covered in vegetation. We saw lots of locals and less tourists (a relief, Oahu is so busy!), a sizable Mormon temple, a polynesian style McDonalds (bizzare). Stopped for shrimp on the way back. Photographed yet another beautiful sunset, chatted to a couple making a fire on the beach (yet more military personal- a deep sea diver station here for 10 years). Tacos for dinner, played Phase 10 cards with the adults and now....up WAY to LATE! GOODNIGHT! =) xxx 

PS. Hawaiian party supplies, From our island to yours.

Oahu Day 5

Turtle skin- look at that beautiful rich texture.

Oahu Day 3

Now who could pass up this photo opportunity! I LOVE CHEEESY PHOTOS! =)

Oahu- Day 2

The day of relaxation. Jason went on the coconut rampage again this morning as I was eating breakfast so after breakfast I ate half a coconut. Yum. Now I am on the lanai watching the ocean, the view is interspersed with palm tree trunks. I am listening to music on my laptop and it seems the waves are beating against the sand competing to be heard.

Oahu- Day 2

The day of relaxation. Jason went on the coconut rampage again this morning as I was eating breakfast so after breakfast I ate half a coconut. Yum. Now I am on the lanai watching the ocean, the view is interspersed with palm tree trunks. I am listening to music on my laptop and it seems the waves are beating against the sand competing to be heard.

The hunter cracks the nut.

Every task needs a supervisor. 

After heaps of effort its open...sorta!

More supervision and now the milking.

Older coconuts = iffy milk. Younger = sooo GREAT!

If you like Pina coladas, getting caught in the rain...=) 

Oahu- Day 1 of family vacation

So we left LA early and arrived in Paradise. Rented a van and the clown song played once again as the Bradley's, Colegroves and their copious amounts of luggage (which is an entity of its own) tried to fit into a van meant for 7 (while there may be 7 of us I am convinced there is double the amount of luggage). With my grandpa disregarding the GPS directions (I thought any minute the clam electronic voice was going to start using profanity and gain an attitude...'Ok then, turn right now dumbass') we made it to our house on the North Shore of Oahu. Did I say house? I mean mansion! Truly. You'll see the pictures. This is like a party house for large groups. On the coffee table there is a book signed by the Miami Cheerleaders.

When we arrived to the mansion at 2ish the cleaners were unexpectedly still there. The house had been trashed by its former occupants who had rented 2 houses in the area this one, being the nicer and on the beach, ended up housing everyone. They think there were about 20 people staying here! Need I say more about it being a party mansion? We went food shopping and were reminded of how things are often double the price in Hawaii. Except a pineapple which is $2.

We returned to the house and marveled at it some more. I went swimming/floating with style on our own beach took one of the best showers of my life. Outside, equipped with hot a cold water, looking at the tropical blue Ocean, listenig to the waves, hot weather and a breeze. It was Heaven.

After that Nonie, Jill, Kaylen and I walked on the beach, saw a perfect sunset and sea turtle. It was a bbq feast for dinner (including vegetables, yum!) and then bed time. I have my own room with a lanai (porch/verandah), a huge comfy bed, a closet with shelves to lay out my things and a fan to move the air. Heaven is Hawaii and this house me thinks =)

Happiness is a warm puppy Charles Schulz says.
Cara says Happiness is....
...a hammock on the beach in Hawaii
...fresh pineapple (I'll never eat canned again!)
...fresh coconut (now there's a hard nut to crack...my cousin is on the rampagne for coconuts with a hammer, screwdriver and determination)
...listening to the waves at you fall asleep
...putting your head beneath the water and feeling the water smooth tendrils of hair to your head like liquid fingers
Happiness (and after all the stress of the last 6 months I am so glad)

Ahaha!

Bansky...a phenomenon apparently =) Graffiti artist.

CS in SF- Cara meets base camp =)

Fun times =)

Obama on Mt Rushmore?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A9_xj77rcQ

Point Reyes

Outside

Inside

Spectacular lighting on the way home:

Excursion to Point Reyes with my Dad, Paul, Penny, Kathy (Penny's sister visiting from Maine) and Izzy (Penny's pooch).

Why see the Pride Parade when you can be in it?

How often do you get to see the Pride Parade in San Fran?

How often do you get to be in it?

Meg (Craig's cousin) invited us all to be part of the parade and march with the SSU group!

Parade preparations- Vanessa, Craig, Meg and Cara

SSU marches

A candid moment The pride parade was great for people watching.

What a portrait.

Comedy to keep me busy for years...

A comedian a day keeps....?

1) Russell Peters,  2) Jerry Seinfeld, 3) Dane Cook, 4) George Carlin, 5) Dave Chappelle, 6) Katt Williams, 7) Mitch Hedberg, 8) Robin Williams, 9) Chris Rock, 10) Steve Martin, 11) Eddie Izzard, 12) Richard Pryor, 13) Brian Regan, 14) Jeff Dunham, 15) Bill Hicks, 16) Demetri Martin, 17) Lee Evans, 18) Lewis Black, 19) Eddie Murphy, 20) Jim Gaffigan, 21) Pablo Francisco, 22) Ellen Degeneres, 23) Billy Connolly, 24) George Lopez, 25) Daniel Tosh, 26) Carlos Mencia, 27) Bill Cosby, 28) Steven Wright, 29) Gabriel Iglesias, 30) Ricky Gervais, 31) John Pinette, 32) Louis C. K., 33) Nick Swardson, 34) Jimmy Carr, 35) Ross Noble, 36) Doug Stanhope, 37) Jim Carrey, 38) Lisa Lampanelli, 39) Rodney Carrington, 40) Kathy Griffin, 41) Larry The Cable Guy, 42) Dylan Moran, 43) Rodney Dangerfield, 44) Frank Caliendo, 45) Chris Titus, 46) Patton Oswalt, 47) Ron White, 48) Stephen Lynch, 49) Jeff Foxworthy, 50) Mike Birbiglia

Source: 

http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/the-funniest-stand-up-comedians.asp

Sunset above the clouds at Mt Tam

Paul took me to one of the most beautiful places on Earth....

Gotta get me some of these...

TED Talks: 

Kamal Meattle on how to grow fresh air

Mr Meattle spoke of 3 common green plants to grow your own fresh air.

So for one person you need:

-4 shoulder high hydroponically grown Arecra Palms (converts CO2 into O2). Plant care: wipe leave once a week in a clean air city, take outdoors 3-4 months

-6-8 waist high Mother-in-law's Tongue (converts CO2 into O2 at NIGHT)

- preferably hydroponically grown Money Plants (remove formaldehyde and other volatile chemicals)

link: http://www.ted.com/talks/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_grow_your_own_fresh_air.html

Cooking with Vanessa

HORS D'OEURVRES- Calamata tapende on squash

Tapenade mixture conatains:
2 small lemons zested, 1/2 cup kalamata olives, 1/2 cup finely minced parsley, 1/2 cup olive oil, 5 cloves of garlic finely minced, himilayan pink salt and black pepper

Seved with balsamic vinegar/olive oil glazed cherry tomatoes


MAIN- Vegan Lazagna:

Layers of:
Salt and peper bottom of pan
Tomatoe Sauce
Mandolined zuchinni
Ricotta mixture (2 handfuls fresh chopped parsley, 1/2 lemon juice, 1/4 red onio, 5 cloves garlic, 8oz silken tofu)
Spinich
Feild Roast- Grain heat sausage
Follow your heart- Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative- Mozarella

USA Summer in CA

Hey all, So I have not gotten lost in NZ! I made it to CA! 

I landed in LA spent a day with my grandparents, went to San Luis Obispo to see Paul, drove to Santa Rosa and started Drawing class back amongst SRJC's oak trees. I am seeing old friends again and doing the things I loved here...sorta...I'm busy as usual. But I have managed to get in touch with some friends, have dinner at Penny's (the best home made pesto, parmesan, pine nut,olive, undried tomato pizza ever!), eat my favourite frozen yogurt, and tonight I went to the Wed Night market in Downtown Santa Rosa!

Vanessa, her friend Ben and I rendez vous-ed at the JC, drove to my house and then walked to the market on foot to avoid parking...and to be green of course! I bought some of the beautiful local produce that is so abundantly available here- peaches (so many kinds), plums,  apricots ($2.50/lb), cherry tomatoes (special$3/lb), thai basil ($1/huge bunch) and squash ($2.50/lb). 

Vanessa bought blueberries as soon as we arrived and shared them with us all. I've never seen someone so excited about blueberries! Her enthusiasm was infectious, as always, and therefore I was excited about blueberries too! Blueberries YAY! BY this time Hilary and Blaze met us and did some shopping at the market. Vanessa then proceeded to purchase things she wanted from vendors, all of whom she knows because she works for one of the locals farms. So it was a deal on Peaches, followed by discounted Collared Greens and bargain Honey! Shop with her and you'll get discounts and friendly smiles wherever you go! I jumped on the collared greens and the peach band wagon, not that I know what to do with greens. Hence, my greens have journeyed home with Vanessa, where, apparently she is going to make them into the best thing that anyone's ever tasted.  Just add tamari and apple cider vinegar. 

Last year, Vanessa introduced me to Justin and Sam who are regulars at the Wed Night market. Their stall is known for their tomatoes and last summer at the end of a few of the markets, I made out like a bandit. I had bags full of free produce- peppers, tomatoes, squash and sometimes fruit. As soon as Justin spotted Vanessa in the crowd this evening, he jokingly gave her a hard time for not working with him as his normal partner in crime, Sam, was off doing something techie for American Idol (?). Vanessa had assumed he was joking when he asked her earlier in the week and therefore he was pretty busy and had no one to select out the best cherry tomatoes from the worst cherry tomatoes and put them into baskets. After chatting a bit I ask him if he wanted help and he said he was probably okay followed by a 'you dont wnat to come back here and some sort of half response. That was good enough for me! I put down my bags and started sorting baby tomatoes. 

I spent the next 2 hours working behind the stall sorting tomatoes, weighing produce and chatting to customers. It was so easy and fun too. Justin is nice and a very easy person to be around. I enjoyed myself, doing something different and while I've had many jobs, this is a new one to add to my list. I always like helping customers and this job reminded me of working the info desk at Melb Uni, something I also liked. I've forgotten what that feel like after being out of retail so long. And this is the short, sweet and busy kind of help. The 'buy tomatoes and leave' kind of help not the 'lingering, nagging endless customer service' type of help. So at the end of the evening, I helped Justin pack up, filled a tub for the CHA (Californa Homeowners Association...a charity, who knew?) and filled 2 plastic bags with plums for the bouncers of the bar that Justin goes to in the evening. He then dropped me home because I had even more produce now that he had given me and he paid me $25. Super nice!  What a lovely evening in an unexpected way. See you next week I said =)  

I LOVE BUYING LOCAL. Supporting your local community is so important! 

I AM IN NZ!

Hey everyone!

I am flying to the USA...via NZ! I am waiting for my next plane. My flight, QF25, left Melbourne at 6am so I am a bit groggy now after staying up all night to packing and organising. I am reconsidering my profession as a photographer as I am currently lugging around all my uncheckables! Camera, tripod, backup hard drive, lap top...a theifs dream...shhh! 1 hour to go...and then another 14 really. My grandparents will be at LAX and we are going to breakfast, a meal I may be sick of after having it once from Melb to Auckland ahnd now I imagine it will be served again from Auckland to LA becasue low and behold, its still breakfast time! Its sleeping time I tell you!

Whathappened before this?

More 'no sleep'! I was preparing my work for assessment. There were a lot of projects, most of which I dont think they even looked at. Thankfully, it all came to an end Tues!  After 2 hours sleep, I had my assesssment interview and therefore finished my photography course for the semester! I went home, cleaned up a bit and tried in vain to sleep. In theevening I rallied myself and went to my friend Phoebes house for a bbq and drinks. I was very tempted to sleep and stay inside out of the cold/wet weather but seeing as we planned it together, that would be a bit..terrible. The gathering was good. Phoebes house mates were there (I like them), 2 old Melb Uni friends of mine popped in and a Couch Surfer of course. I got home lateand spend Wed packing and making a lot of phone calls trying to sort out the business of life (car registration, uni registration,) and edited a photo job for a client (!yay!). I packed all night and got a chauffeur to the airport! I price matched it to a taxi- there are no other options that early, it's a bit rediculous. My chauffeur had coffee waiting for me in the carand was lovely and chatty. I found out all about the business! And then I flew out! 

Ahaha....comedy...of the Swine Flu variety!

Ahahaha!
I am trying to laugh every day. 

I think comedy may be the most under rated thing in our society. 

I am prescribing myself a daily dose...like vitamins! using comedy.

Here's the funnies thing I saw today!

Kelly Clarkson on the Fox roof top

On Monday afternoon I saw Kelly Clarkson perform on the Fox Rooftop. I was invited by my friend Nicholas who had called in and won tickets on the radio. It's one of those things you hear about all the time but never experience. With my friend Claire in tow we trained it into the city and I made our way to Clarandon St in South Melbourne (an odd place for a radio station, amongst trendy shops). We hopped off the tram, walked to a very normal looking office building (for a minute I thought maybe we were in the wrong place) and as if we were expected (all unknown persons expected?) were told to go up stairs by an usher/security guard. On the roof we gave our names, showed our ID and were given a plastic band for entry and drink card. After white wine and orderves (risotto balls, mini pizzas, sandwiches). Kelly was introduced by Aussie comedic duo Hamish and Andy. They were very funny and topped off their intro by singing her questions, backed by her band, emphasizing their non-musical nature. Her set was short and sweet with catchily engineered music and famillar songs. Nice voice, definitely a belter.