Lomography

I miss film. Kinda. All I have right now is my lovely Lumix. BUT, I also have Photoshop. Instant gratification.

De-Invent

When I left LA, there was a big hullabaloo over moving to a new place and having the opportunity to reinvent yourself. Hi, My name is Vladia and I've spent the last two years as a mime's apprentice and I am really into collecting teeth and quoting Kierkegaard. Apparently, when you move you're supposed to revel in the ability to be whatever or whoever you want to be. I moved to Eugene, and the only people I know here have been in my life for at least 8 years. In the case of one miss Erin Hampton (Grover), it would be approximately 15 years. Yesterday, we met over a hand-picked flight of Oregon beers (including 2 delicious specialty brews by Shawn Grover himself) and caught up on the old times, the new times, and the missed times. It was good times.

Erin remembers when I had "the Cranberries" and "the Clash" scrawled in white-out on my purple jansport backpack, when I thought I was punk rock even though I was a straight-A student who went to church camp as my way of acting out against my liberal parents, when I was too embarrassed to smile because I was the only girl in high school who still had braces. We got in trouble at youth group for wearing layered slips as clothing, we did an entire month's homework in one night over a pot of black coffee (every month), we made dance videos in Elise's living room, we graduated together, we went to college apart, we moved to Eugene and found ourselves laughing and rehashing the old times over beer and mixed meats.

I've never felt the need to reinvent myself and it's refreshing to be around my oldest friend, as we have a special understanding of what made us who we are, a deep appreciation for who we have become, and an insightful optimism about who we will be.

"Be that self which one truly is." -Soren Kierkegaard

A Joyous Sound

Heather continues to brighten my days with awesome videos!

Step It Up, Obama

President's Day is here again. I'm sure miss Libby is celebrating this joyous occasion wrapped in an American flag and exchanging presidential trivia with all who will engage. Without Sara here to show me how to rock this holiday, I've taken it to the internet. In truth, I've let my economy-obsessed father take it to the internet, and have inquired on the fruits of his labor. Today I would like to call attention to FDR, who stepped in as our 32nd president amidst the first Great Depression. Here is a speech he gave after his first term.

"We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

Faced with a grim economic climate, FDR brought Unemployment Insurance and Social Security to the table. I'm still waiting on my main man Obama to tell the bankers they are all a bunch of hooligans and we are nationalizing our banks. FDR would have.

Love Is Simple

Heather sent me this video. I can't think of a better Valentine. I, simply, love you.

Forestry Humor

Captain Fuzzypants

Does someone with no child-birthing plans still have a biological clock? My feeling of urgency in adopting sara, the 4-year-old heeler found on the highway in 105 degree heat, says yes. Very much so.

Show Poster Post

Another post about things I like to look at.

Greta Grossman

These are from an LA Times photo gallery. The Grossman House, 1948. Reaffirms my affinity for stone floors and wood paneling.

Bits of the 'Quin

Tippet

Darby

A few days ago, I got thumped in the chin by Lyla's skull. Lyla is a gorgeous, sweet, lovable husky. The right side of my lip and my front right tooth had an unfortunate meeting and puffiness ensued. Yesterday, Darby must have decided I looked ridiculous and she gave me a skull thump on the left side of my lip. Now I look gorgeous.

My sister and I went post-holing last week in the snow across the lake. We lost Darby for bit, as she has a deeper love for chasing birds than she has for pleasing her people. Tami thought she was a goner for sure, much like she was convinced my cat had been devoured by an owl when he was hiding in the cupboards for the first 36 hours of his stay in Chiloquin. Darby returned to our feet when she was good and ready, doggy smile plastered to her face. Driving back home, we sang Jimmy Buffett tunes and I remembered that the reason I started playing guitar was to sing "Cheeseburger in Paradise" around the campfire in the Fikstad family tradition.

My first week here, I heard a song Brent had playing on the computer. About whiskey. 4 drinks and 200 songs later, I still haven't figured out which song it was, but Brent and I were up 'till 2am last night, making a good go of it, while increasing our music libraries tenfold. This guy should write a song about whiskey.