Advice from Monty Python

I got up at 6am this morning so that I could get started with my day. I am an overachiever, a morning person and a perfectionist. I take life way too seriously sometimes. Ok, who am I kidding, a LOT of the time.

Andrew reminded me of this the other night at dinner - he proceeded to flick large smushy (word?) clumps of mashed potatoes and green peas at me across the dinner table because again, I was taking life too seriously.  Suddenly the house woes were nothing compared to the mashed potatoes and peas that coated our kitchen walls and floors. Point taken.

I laughed this morning as I put on my "Morning Wakeup" playlist because the first song to play was "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Monty Python. I have only seen part of the movie, but my friend Andy Thorne from Sail Caribbean was its' biggest fan. We used to blast this song in the morning as we rolled out of our bunks, put on the coffee and got ready for another crazy ass day on the water with a gazillion (again, word?) teenagers to entertain and make sure stayed alive in the 24 hour day.  I will never forget that summer with Andy and our Monty Python mornings...it seems to always remind me of perspective.

Life's a piece of shitWhen you look at itLife's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.You'll see it's all a showKeep 'em laughing as you goJust remember that the last laugh is on you.

If life seems jolly rottenThere's something you've forgottenAnd that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.When you're feeling in the dumpsDon't be silly chumpsJust purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing. 

And...always look on the bright side of life... Always look on the light side of life...

Viva Nash Vegas

Nashville. What an incredible southern city. Oh how I wish there was more than just a lake there because I would move there in a heartbeat. From the gorgeous spring weather to the boutiques and restaurants to the country music to the parks and concerts, Nashville is truly a must see! Add it to the bucket list people. 

I think it's fair to say I LOVED my visit last weekend! 

On Monday morning, back in surprisingly sunny New England, I couldn't get past the experiences of the weekend. What was my favorite part? What did I love most? The energy? The glutenis slather your hips yummy food? The surroundings of famous country singers and artists? What I came to realize this week is that I loved Nashville mostly because of the time I spent seeing it with my friends, Christa and Carter. They were the whole reason I went to visit and I can't believe its taken me this long to get there...it just took them both leaving in a few weeks to get me there! Isn't that always how it works, we go somewhere to see a place or someone when "the end is near"...

Good quality time spent with those I love and know is what I needed most this month. It just so happens to be the theme of April (as I write I am currently on my way to North Carolina where my friend of 7 years, Jim Baker, is getting married!) and I welcome this time with open arms. Don't get me wrong, I love New England and the new friends I am slowly making here, but let me tell you, there is NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING better than a weekend with someone you've known for 7 and 27 years respectively. 

So thank you Christa for...letting me use your AAA card for $2 off at the Country Music Hall of Fame... I can now check that off the list; for taking me to Radnor Lake for a wonderful stretch of the legs and sunshine - and of course for letting me spill my guts on my winter ups and downs; for the most delicious BBQ at Edly's and seeing that patience goes a long way when you get a table outside, which makes the BBQ and sweet tea even better; for boutique shopping in Franklin; margaritas and chips at Chuy's Mexican; and an event to remember at the Grand Old Oprey - don't forget, "never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time". 

And thank you Carter, my bestest friend of 27 years on April 27th (golden year!!), for always looking on the bright side and providing me with a laugh that at the same time involves tears, and for showing me "your Nashville". I loved Sweet 16 - featured in Southern Living yall, gotta go, get the blueberry crumble; the walks and parks were literally a breath of fresh air - along the "Cum" river...Nashville, wake up! 

But most of all, thank you for letting me come to hear you preach. I have never been so proud of any of my friends as I was on Sunday morning. Whoever gets Carter as their minister in North Carolina is going to be 

one lucky congregation!! Carter speaks with clarity, wisdom, and grace - it was truly an encouraging moment to see her 5 years of hard work paying off.

Nashville - you keep on doing what you're doing.

   

Self Portraiture

Last and final Intro to photography class. Check. 

First attempt at real self portraiture. Check. Check. 

Learning that it is much much harder to take creative self portraits than you thought. 

Check check check. 

I really enjoyed this last shooting assignment. I found it incredibly challenging to get the camera to focus on ME rather than other things in the background while I waited for the timer. I took a few photos each day for 4-5 days just to make sure I didn't embarrass myself in class.  I was so focused on making my pictures a representation of myself and my personalities.  Sometimes the more simple shots are the best ones. Practice makes perfect I suppose. 

3rd Beach

Ice Cream Love

Hi

When I used to work at Sail Caribbean we used to do feedback circles and at the end we would say our "take home point".  As "touchie feelie" as it may be, I have come to use the term in everyday life as a way to focus on the most important aspect of what I'm learning or doing.

Take Home Point: "Every picture that you take is a reflection of yourself, whether you are in the picture or not. Each photo is a representation of your ideas, creativity, style and shows who you are because you took the photograph!