It's International Women and Pancake Day. Choose wisely.

florida: part 2, the wedding

Photos from my father in law's wedding in Florida. It was a beautiful day!

Andy and I

mascots

father and kids

cheers!

the bride and groom

More in my Flickr photostream.

Or go directly to the Florida Wedding photo album.

comfort zone

I used to cling to my comfort zone. But at some point I learned the only way to make life happen - and to grow - is to break the shell. That's how I met my soul mate. Visited a foreign country. Moved to San Francisco. Found photography. Confronted my anxiety. Started running

I face each day like I face my runs - I'll never regret hitting the pavement, but I'll always regret missing the opportunity. Growth only comes from movement.

truth

whiskey

At Alembic, the host provides a book rather than a menu. The bartenders make whatever you want, and perfectly. Mad scientists conjuring delicious cocktails. And they're artists - my guy struggled to place the toothpick of fruit just so on the Singapore Sling, like the final splashes of paint on a masterpiece.

Post-run/yoga peanut butter & jelly sandwich may be the best meal ever.

florida: part 1

Over Valentine's weekend, I traveled to Florida for my father-in-law's wedding. Only two full days and the weather was colder than San Francisco. Still, it was fun to see (and meet!) family, plus have photography adventures in a new-to-my-camera state. Wedding photos to come soon.

More in my Flickr photostream.

Or go directly to the Florida photo album

best dinner ever

Cinnamon Potato Chick Pea Salad

AND

Carrot Cake Smoothies

No photos. They were both THAT good.

an evening

1. Stormy weather in San Francisco. Perfect for catching up on reading, drinking gingerbread cookie tea, and listening to Elliott Smith.

2. Speaking of reading, I finally finished the book I was reading. For a year. Embarrassing, I know. Then I read Tales of the City in less than a week. Goodreads is the perfect reading motivation for a list lover like me.

3. As for Elliott Smith, I never got into him until tonight. This is why I'm not hip to music. I need just the right moment to spark an interest. That moment right now is a rainy, calm evening at home.

the OG

photo walking through life

I organized a photo walk with some camera pals last weekend. It was a fun way to spend a beautiful Sunday, exploring the cafes of North Beach and the bakeries of Chinatown. It's incredible to see how different photographers shoot the same subject. I can't wait for more adventures.

More in my Flickr photostream.

Or go directly to the Photo Walk North Beach/Chinatown photo album

get surreal

Last week, I went with Andy and a few co-workers to the Exploratorium's After Dark. It was my first time there, and even after 3 hours, there was much more to see. The theme was Get Surreal, as in surreal art. And life. Yes, there was a mad hatter's tea party.

 

More in my Flickr photostream.

Or go directly to the Exploratorium After Dark photo album

everyone's an expert

Non-runners are always quick to tell me how running is actually bad for you. Bad knees, bad joints, bad bones, bad hearts.

Yesterday, someone asked me if I heard about "the guy who died. A runner had a heart attack while crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in a marathon over the weekend. Only 30 years old too." No, I had not heard. Maybe I should constantly berate all the drivers I know with tales of horrific car crashes.

Yes, any sport taken to a certain level over decades can lead to injuries - ballerinas, football players, ultrarunners, even BOWLERS. Yet, non-athletes can develop bad knees. And long distance runners can power into their 80's. The body ages; it's a fact of life.

I'd rather reach old age knowing I used my body to its fullest potential, as the gods intended, rather than worrying about every little stomp on the pavement. It's those stomps that drive me to just keep living.

Life is short - running makes it seem longer ~ Baron Hansen

Micmacs

One of the best movies I've seen in months - like Ocean's Eleven, but French and whimsical. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's films always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy.

Except Alien Resurrection.

Last night at a small techno underground on the edge of the city, I spotted Mark Zuckerberg.

Only in San Francisco.

Andy

love & light
Originally uploaded by MandyK / I used to be the smart one

artsy fartsy

Andy and I went to the SFMOMA for the first time last week. I KNOW. Lived here two years, and there are still new-to-me places in this city. The two current exhibits are incredible, and I especially liked the voyeurism series. The day was very inspiring - I need to look at more art.

More in my Flickr photostream.

Or go directly to the SFMOMA photo album.

dancing in the street

Photo by Jordan Matter

The kind of photography I can get behind - beautiful and surprising - Dancers Among Us

I'm so exhausted, that I'm skipping the gym not because I'm too tired to work out, but because I'm too tired to even change my clothes. I fear the activity of removing one sock will send me into a coma.

Saturday stroll

The weather was beautiful over the weekend, so of course I had to get out for a photo walk in Golden Gate Park. Nothing terribly interesting, except to report while inside I photograph cats and outside, I photograph squirrels. Cute and fuzzies just make the best models.

 

More in my Flickr photostream.

Or go directly to the San Francisco photo album.