Collection

Recently I bid farewell to most of my collection of thrifted purple dresses. It's been a long time since the days when I wore dresses and skirts seven days out of the week, and in some ways I miss them. Those days, I mean.

Small haven of sweets

Near my train station, there is an artisanal Japanese sweet shop that is, weirdly enough, something of a sanctuary to me. I don't treat myself to a $5 handmade mochi very often, but even if I know I will buy nothing, I still go in often after a stressful day to enjoy the warmth, the quiet, the meticulous displays, and the traditional instrumental music playing softly in the background.

For part of the year they carry boxes of these perfect little rabbit-shaped pastries called usagi manju (look at them!) that I swear I will have someday...someday when I have $32 to drop on pastries.

Gratitudes + things that are making me happy

• trees full of blossoms

• spring air (I know it's only February, but this is the Bay Area)

• reading Letters to a Young Poet, and how comforting it is when I am lonely

• breathing and thinking

• the yummiest mocha and blueberry cornbread  at brunch this morning

• having an old favorite toy camera back in my possession

• yoga twice this week (I usually go once a month max)

• connecting better with a new coworker I didn't think I'd like

• biking under the full moon with my dear one

• the gift of a rainbow votive candle

• my roommate's rants and monologues and listening ear

• a feline houseguest

Crystals on my windowsill

Some bought in Perth, some bought in San Francisco, and one taken from home where it had been a childhood plaything. I carry one in each fist sometimes, my fists resting deep in my pockets as I walk. To anchor me to the earth by my fists, with their weight. To remind me that I know what I want, which to me is nearly as magical and determinative as believing that they can give me what I want.

The mystery exposure

Sometimes this happens with film: I have no memory of taking this photo, and no idea what this place is.

It's been raining all morning.

Goodness knows California could use it, though.

And I am in bed, taking care of my sick self instead of earning money, which makes me a little nervous, but given that I'm not in dire need, in this regard I am not one of those people who's good at ignoring their own body.
Lately I have been luxuriating in this album from U.S. Girls, and rediscovering Writer's Block.

Ghosts and nostalgia / Sydney

September 2012.
1. St. Andrew's Cathedral
2. Cockatoo Island (site of the Sydney Biennale, which I also wrote about/shared photos from here)
3. One of the warehouses used to house Biennale installations
4. A detail on a Biennale installation
5. Part of a Biennale installation
6. My friend Belle in Newtown.
7. The Sydney Opera House
8. At Circular Quay, a tree I also photographed on my first trip to Australia three years previous — see the third photo in this post

An anniversary

Sunrise from inside Nadi International Airport (Fiji). September 2012.

Just a little over a year ago I left California for three months in Australia. Though my time out of the country was mostly quiet, spent in a little beach suburb where I had few social connections or formal obligations, I think my life would be quite different right now if I hadn't had that experience.

The anniversary of my leaving has me reflecting heavily upon that time and its impact on me. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to share some previously unposted 35mm photos I took there, and perhaps some of my reflections as well.

New view

What I see at my new place when I am lying in bed.

Erin, when she was 21

Los Angeles, September 2012.
I took this when I was about to head off for three months in Australia, and she is now in Scotland alone having her own adventure. I am hoping it is very beautiful for her.

From a café balcony

Capitola, California. May 2012.

My mother on her roof last year

Viewing the annular solar eclipse.

San Francisco, May 2012.

Breathing was easy here

I told you about this backyard.Western Australia, November 2012.

Foreshore ghosts

Western Australia, November 2012.

Fox and keeper, Peel Zoo

Western Australia, November 2012.

Hotel morning, Monterey

May 2012.

Trampoline; rosemary

A late spring evening. Western Australia, November 2012.

Early spring sun-fall

Sydney, September 2012.

Evening view

Shannon in the vegetable garden

Western Australia, October 2012.