I spent most of the day with LWW, BKP, and RJJ. We ate Chipotle, watched movies, and went to IKEA – Laura decorated Ryan’s car on the way: 

Then I headed back to the ‘burbs for a party:

Post-interview Muddy Waters-ing with BKP and LWW:

Man, I love this girl:

If you could hear the jazz band that was playing, you’d know how I felt in this moment:

She’s the tops:

Cuteness:

Hunter!:

Sometimes it’s hard to make cameras work:

These guys are some of my new favorites:

BKP, champagne drinker extraordinaire:

Dance party long exposures:

These boys be creepin’:

I love winter light.

After getting my hairs did, I met up with a few (amazing) people for (an amazing) dinner at La Grassa. Yum!

This girl makes me so happy.

I’m going to start painting again. Blank canvasses on my wall = surprisingly inspiring. 

More fun times were had at the 331 Club. Breanna Lane is preeeeeeeetty.

Boys who sing are the best kind of boys.

Saturday, January 8th, 2011 | Nels and Meredith Get Married

I saw this meme on a few blogs and thought I’d take a few minutes to reflect on the last year.

__________

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I worked as a concert photographer. I used my bicycle as my main mode of transportation for a significant portion of the summer. I went to Spain.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t remember what, if any, resolutions I made last year. This year, I’ve resolved to: smile more, complain less, cook more, bike more, shoot more, among others.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?

Spain. Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Ooh, this is tough. 2010 was pretty fantastic. I guess I’d like to see myself do more with my camera and access to a darkroom would be a lovely thing to have.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Man! Every Wednesday throughout the summer, November 11th, the last days at Bedlam, the first time I saw Free Energy, the first time I saw Dawes, WAMplified with HarMar Superstar, Local Natives at the 400 Bar, July 4th, Megafaun and Charlie Parr at the Cedar, Dessa at the Fine Line. There are so many more. I’m stopping here.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Quitting my job, selling all my stuff, going to Barcelona. AND working steadily as a concert photography. I’m so happy that I got to do both those things.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being proactive about new friendships. I think my poor planning and ball dropping cost me a few potentially really good friends.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not that I can recall.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Roundtrip ticket to Barcelona.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Everyone who genuinely and sincerely cheered on a friend. We all need people like that around.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

A few politicians but let’s not get into it, eh?

14. Where did most of your money go?

Food. Drinks. Camera gear. Spain.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Going to Spain, most of the shows that I went to, spending time at the beach. The Lutsen trip. The parties at my old house. Getting rid of all my stuff.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I think I have to say ‘Home’ by ES&TMZ even though I don’t particularly care for the band OR the song.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

–happier or sadder? So much happier. So much. –thinner or fatter? About the same. –richer or poorer? A little bit poorer. Spain, you know.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I’d read more books. I wish I’d arranged more nights in with friends. I wish I’d cleaned and organized my house more often because getting rid of everything was a huge project and would have been much easier were I a tidy person.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

I wish I’d spent less time on the internet. I spent so many hours on my laptop when I could have been reading or shooting or stargazing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my step-family, like usual.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Romantically? No. With this city, my friends, and so many bands? Yep, lots of love there.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I don’t feel like I watched a lot of TV but I discovered and enjoyed the first season of Modern Family. Also Glee. (I’m a sucker for singing.)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No. I don’t hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read?

Pathetically, I don’t remember. Shoot.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Dawes. Duh. I love those guys.

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted to go to Spain. I got to go to Spain!

27. What did you want and not get?

Ha! I have to admit that I fantasized about Mos Def spotting me in the photo pit and taking me on tour with him but it didn’t happen. ;)

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I only went to a few movies this year but I can’t remember many of them. Up In The Air, maybe? Or The Kids Are All Right.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

A bunch of us met for pizza and then drinks. I was 24.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Man, I don’t know! Last year was so so good! Having a more reliable bike would have been nice, and having the know-how to make what I did have better would have been good too. But seriously, last year was so good.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Pointy toed flats, same as always! Jeans. Cardigans. Dresses and skirts.

32. What kept you sane?

Going to shows. Shooting bands. Getting to see my friends on a regular basis.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Gosh. I don’t know. My Rachel McAdams girlcrush is still going strong and I’m sure I’ll always be a Clooney fan.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The It Gets Better campaign.

35. Who did you miss?

A few old friends who I didn’t see at all. A few friends who I didn’t get to see as much as I would have liked.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I have a hard time remembering who I met at the end of 2009 and who I met in 2010 but Jay Gabler is definitely one of the best and I definitely met him in 2010. He opened up so many doors for me and I’ll forever be grateful to him for that. Leslie Plesser is also on the top of the list. She’s lovely and amazing and we get along so well. Oh! AND NATALIE GALLAGHER!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Find what you like and make it work.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Oh, I’m HORRIBLE at lyrics! Shoot. Pass.