I swear I am not becoming entirely a music blogger. Really, I am not. I know my last post was about James Morrison, and maybe the last few before that were about music too - but how can I not post photos when I get to shoot The Fray? At Red Rocks. In the sleeting rain.

OK, that last part wasn't as thrilling, but it makes for a good story... seeing as it was also Declan's first concert at the world's best place the see a show.

I honestly think I am a jinx for The Fray, because last time I saw them at Red Rocks, it rained so hard, I was able to ring out my hair as I walked back to my car. And then, there was that  warm-up show at the Fox - a night that showed how cold Colorado can get when the sun drops - so we threw ourselves into the pit just to get warm.

Not that I am complaining.

Colorado weather is fun, and so is The Fray.

The guys went all out this weekend, weather be damned.

And I was damned glad to be there.




Blogger Disclosure: The band provided me a photo pass for the show, but I had already purchased tickets a long, long time ago. Because the truth is, any time you put The Fray at Red Rocks, I am gonna go.

Labels: Brands, Colorado, Music

Apparently I have a thing for British singers. It has become a joke among my friends that I won't like it if I can't find it on the UK iTunes store ... and I also have been known to plan trips solely based on concert schedules (cough cough, Deacon Blue.)

But last night I got to not only see one of my absolute favorites, I got to attend his sound check and hang out with him for about 10 minutes afterwards, one-on-one. Not joking.

I forgot to pull up and show James the photo from the first time we met, that time in 2007 when I saw him with about 50 other people at Denver's Walnut Room.

Below is a little then-and-now: his hair has gotten shorter and mine longer.

 

Here's the good news. The man is still fucking awesome. And I can say that, because he curses like a sailor.

And had an absent, alcoholic father.

Yeah, me too. Except kinda worse, but we won't go there.

And James was premature as a child. So premature that he nearly didn't make it, and that's what makes his voice so raspy.

Declan, my 32 weeker, gets croup all the time.

When I mentioned this to James, he laughed and said, "So, it's like looking at your own life, eh?"

Except I haven't sold millions of records all over the world, but whatever.

The new album, The Awakening, is about coming away from his father's life death with a new perspective - something I have been trying to do for a long, long time. Everyone says things like this, but those songs really mean something to me.

Although, my favorite song on the album, "Slave to the Music," was apparently written during a drunk conversation with the ghost of Michael Jackson. So, that's cool too.



Clearly I love music, and I love photographing concerts. This one was no exception. I was thrilled when they asked me to come in and shoot the show. Even though, in some ways, it's hard to photograph your favorite artists, because you are "working" when you just want to listen and dance.




Ha ha. Just kidding.

Taking photos of James Morrison is fucking rad. 

 _____________________________________________________________________
Blogger Disclosure: Tickets for the show were provided by James' record label. 
All words and thoughts (especially the cursing) are mine.

Labels: Brands, Music

It is happening. My son is growing up.

I realize this has been happening for almost 10 years now, but never have I felt it like I did this weekend.

Our big rock concert fundraiser was on Saturday: Tellerpalooza. The one that Bryan and I work on all year long, and the one that Declan has actually started contributing, real, valuable ideas to.

He saw that the logo was very graphic this year, so he suggested I make a coloring page out of it for the younger grades at his school to get excited about. Totally, 100% his idea.


Then, on Saturday - our big day - I was feeling the stress. Bryan was already at the venue, making sure everything was set up and running smoothing. I was home, dodging last minute emergencies. I almost decided to run away the circus, because let me tell you - getting five bands to play - six when you include the school band - plus a magician, plus sponsors, plus donations, and then have 800 people coming to see it all? Stressful.

My kid says to me, "Mama, we should do something to relax."

A lightbulb went off inside my head. I had been trying to go get a pedicure all week. There is a little place up the street that takes walk-ins. I could have Declan go with me. Right?

We have never gone for gender stereotypes and Declan paints his nails here and there as he feels like it. I was more worried that all the clipping and pulling and super hot water would freak him out.

He flip-flopped about 10 times on the way there, but in the end, he agreed.

As the ladies massaged our feet, and we sat side by side, chatting, relaxing, having a new experience that was just for us - it hit me.

We're in a new place, him and me.

He's old enough to not only tolerate something like a pedicure, he is actually enjoying it.

I got a little melancholy. He is our one and only. There are so many things I will never experience again.

But think of all the things I will.

Labels: Balance, Family, Parenting

Check out the questions that Bryan wrote down to ask final candidates for the principal position at Declan's school during a public interview with parents last night.

Labels: Education, Family, Funny

Because this is about people I know, but can't tell you who they are.

It's just - I am wondering - how off kilter am I in my thinking?

Say a child grows up, but really doesn't - and still lives at home. With her own child and sometimes the father of her baby. It doesn't really matter all the reasons she is there, some are valid, some are not.

My main questions are these: 

What should this person be doing around the house, given that they do not pay (nor have they ever paid) rent?

What kind of communication should be happening when she leaves the house, or goes on vacation?

What expectations should there be about babysitting the child?

Specifically - not to get too "scientific" about it - what percent of her time should be spent "paying back" for the living situation, if any?

Just wondering.

Labels: Balance, Issues

42. The meaning of life. The age I turned today.

The number itself seems much older than I feel - so I just have been telling everyone I am turning 21 for the second time.

For my big day, Bryan surprised me with the news that he has taken the day off. He plans to provide a "Day of Service," which is much more mundane than what perverted minds may be thinking right now - he is cleaning the house and do laundry. Things that have been sorely lacking as we both are crazy at work and gearing up for our big annual fundraiser, Tellerpalooza.

Maybe the best present ever.

Besides the new Canon 7D that is en route.

I have been wanting to do more with video for years, as you may have noticed by my starts and fits in that area. But nothing ever felt right. Until I borrowed a 7D last weekend from my awesome friends at Pro Photo Rental - and realized I really liked the video inside my DSLR.

I seriously considered going full guns with the 5D, but I would have been required to upgrade many of my lenses - and dudes. I could not handle that right now financially, but more importantly, emotionally. I really have been working my ass off at Giese Media - a wonderful thing - but also draining when you like to spend time with your family and friends too. Oh, and sleep. Sleep would be nice too.

So, we decided the 7D would be perfect for the next few years and maybe eventually I will get a "pro" camera like all the people who wear the big panties in photography. For now, I am thrilled I will get a bump up from my current body, add video, and be able to start shooting right out of the box.

Speaking of shooting - my present from Declan was an Easter egg hunt. He seems to have grasped the fun you can have on the other side, so I went searching for hidden eggs all over the living room this morning. After I found them, I picked a ticket with a number. Which he counted off on the eggs cootie-catcher style to get to my "final" prize egg. Which had marbles inside. Which I could then multiply by 5.

To get to the number of photos I am allowed to take of him with my new camera.

Which would be 90, by the way.

Definitely the best present ever.

So, until I have more time to play with my new camera, check out the video we made last weekend with the borrowed 7D. I say we, because this is the video that Bryan and Declan helped make where Bop Skizzum was worried about their [bleeping] cursing.




I am ready for a [bleeping] awesome birthday.

Labels: Family, Photo, Video, Work

Over the weekend, we did some video work with my clients (and friends), local band Bop Skizzum. It turned into a family affair - because Bryan and Declan came along to shoot B-roll for me. Declan thought it was the most. fun. thing. ever.

Bop Skizzum has seven members. You get that many people in a small space, trying to film them, and words of a certain style are gonna fly around the room, right?

Trust me, Declan has heard these words many times before, especially from my mouth. I have tried [hard] to curb my cursing since Declan entered our life - mainly because there is nothing as unattractive as a five year old popping off like a sailor.

But truly, what is the core of the issue? ... Respect.

So, as he learned the big words, one by one, we explained to him - if he were to use those words, people might get their feelings hurt. There might be consequences - especially at school. We respect other people by not using those words around them.

But really? Do we have the right to go into someone else's house and ask them to stop cursing? After our video shoot, Andy Rok texted and apologized for all the language. He didn't need to. Declan can handle it.

Besides, it gave us a chance to talk to the kid about the difference of intention behind the words. The guys were just saying them when they messed up their lines, not AT us. Had they been being mean to us, Andy might have something to apologize for.

In the end, what we got was some great outtakes for the video we were making.

Labels: Balance, Education, Parenting

Sometimes I forget that people can't read my mind. When I said I was seeing Eric Hutchinson - whose debut album I have loved for years - several friends had no idea who I meant. But clearly, the crowd at the Bluebird the other night *DID* know Eric, and already memorized Eric's NEW album - because it was basically a big-ole sing-a-long the whole night.

I think of him as if Jason Mraz and Jamie Lidell had a baby who is the same age roughly as his parents, but you can check out my iPhone video below and make up your own mind.


"OK, It's Alright With Me" by Eric Hutchinson


"Oh" by Eric Hutchinson


Sidenote: I was able to meet Eric after the show and he was incredibly nice. He is very active on twitter and we had tried to work out a photo pass, but his record label ignored us. Tsk tsk, record company. Just think of all the awesome photos I might have included in this post had I had my big lens? Amiright?

Labels: Colorado, Music

Declan is nine. He will be 10 in September, and I am certain he has been on this earth at least a few times before. I just gets things without me having to tell him, and I am not the only one who notices.

So, I was surprised that Santa was still big last Christmas. There had been questions since around age six, and I started turning them around - like we were in a court of law and I was avoiding a death sentence.

"Is Santa real?"

"Um, what do you think?"

He would always be steadfast in his belief. Yes. Totally. Santa is real. Well, okay, then. Santa stays, he gets cookies - and Guinness. Because Santa loves Guinness, right? He always has in our house, at least.

I felt uncomfortable with the deception, because we are so straight-forward with Declan about everything. On the other hand, who am I to deprive him of the magic of Santa?

So I let it slide. I dodged his questions. I never directly lied to him over the past few years, but I also never really answered with the truth either.

Then came Easter 2012.

Bryan had purchased a bunch of candy, and toys, and office supplies for the holiday. Bryan loves toys and Declan loves office supplies. They were hidden in his car, ready to spring out with the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning.

The only problem was... well, Easter Bunny's "helper" went to a big party the night before, had one too many drinks and took a cab home, so early Sunday morning the Easter Bunny's "wife" had nothing to put out.

I could see Declan prancing around the kitchen from our bed, peeking in to see if we are awake, following all those rules about not going out and looking at his loot without us.

Before you are too hard on Bryan, I was actually relieved.

Here we go.

Let's end this pretense.

I grabbed Declan by the hand and led him out to the couch and we plopped down together.

"Declan, tell me what you think about the Easter Bunny."

After a long pause, and a sly smile, he answered, "I think he is you guys."

The huge rush of relief that washed over me was better than if we actually had the candy there for him, rather than melting in the hot sun of a parking lot several miles away.

I smiled, he smiled, we exchanged the discerning looks of people who were knowledgeable about the world.

"Then, you know that Santa Claus is not real either, right?"

The look I got. THE LOOK. He gave me a look of such desperate magnitude... you would think I just shot our dog. In front of him. And laughed.

His eyes filled with tears, and a very wobbly voice whispered, "What do you mean, Santa is not real?"

He's kidding, right? He has GOT to be kidding me.

I did NOT just kill Santa.

If there was any time in my entire life that I could use one of those ridiculous reverse 30-seconds of time contraptions they use in the movies, THIS WOULD BE IT.

"Didn't you ever wonder why Santa likes Guinness?"

Those little eyes widened, and then his brow scrunched, then his eyes widened again - like everything came tumbling into place, one by one.

And he started crying in earnest.

"Do you wish I hadn't told you?"

There was a mumbled yes through all the crying and burying of his head in the couch.

I let out a deep sigh and dug in. We talked about a lot of things for almost an hour. About faith, and magic, and even Jesus, although we are agnostic. I told him that he has the choice to learn about the world and decide what he wants to believe in. I explained that his dad and I have great faith even though we are not religious. That he can now continue the tradition of telling Santa's story for the younger children in our lives, and to help protect that magic for them. That magic is very important, and many things in this world cannot be explained.

By this time, Bryan had joined us and lent a second voice to what I was telling Declan.

Our darling, sensitive boy finally turned to my magical husband and said, "Daddy - do you believe in Santa Claus?"

"Yes, Dex. I absolutely do."

"Me, too."

------

Now the big question is this: What do I do the next time he loses a tooth?
 

Hi. I am ticked. What's new.

There is this thing that Declan wanted to join. It is a school thing, but not really. It's before and after school and the kids involved are supposed to get in groups of two or three kids.

We were a little late on the ball, and everyone is paired up. Everyone is turning Declan away.

Finally we got on the phone and started calling parents. There was a ray of hope with a long time friend of Declan's - but her partner, a boy that Declan doesn't know very well, and we don't know at all, "doesn't work well in groups."

According to his parents.

His parents said that their child "doesn't work well in groups," - one of the main goals of this activity, I would presume - when another parent was asking if ONE child could be added to their TWO person group, because that child didn't have a group of his own.

If this is a glimpse of the politics and bullshit ahead, I am raising the white flag now.

Labels: Education, Family, Issues